Duduzane’s promotion deepens MK’s family-party problem

MK Party leader Jacob Zuma has swapped one twin out for another. Barely two months after his daughter and so-called founding member Duduzile Zuma was booted from the uMkhonto weSizwe Party, her twin brother has been given prime position.

Jacob Zuma appointed his son Duduzane Zuma as the party’s first deputy president on Tuesday, placing him second in command. He replaces John Hlophe, who remains MK’s parliamentary leader in the National Assembly. Tony Yengeni stays on as second deputy president.

The party also removed national chairperson Nkosinathi Nhleko and deputy secretary-general Nomsa Dlamini, replacing them with Mxolisi Phakathi and Lindiwe Mtshali. MKP says the changes will strengthen the organisation and consolidate its structures ahead of the local government elections.

But Duduzane’s appointment raises a curious question: is MK developing leaders through democratic party structures, or is Jacob Zuma choosing a successor?

Duduzane has never held elected public office or served in Parliament. His previous attempt at party politics was All Game Changers, which he formed after leaving the ANC. The party did not make it onto the national ballot in 2024 after failing to comply with electoral requirements.

That does not automatically make him unqualified. Political parties routinely appoint people who have not served in government, and Duduzane now has an opportunity to prove that he offers more than his surname.

But legitimacy becomes harder to establish when the person handing you power is also your father.

MKP has not built a reputation for slow, predictable leadership development. It has had eight secretaries-general since its formation in December 2023, while senior officials have repeatedly been appointed, removed and sometimes returned to their posts. The party argues that these changes are part of building a young organisation. Critics see an institution whose leadership depends heavily on Zuma’s personal decisions.

The latest reshuffle strengthens that criticism. Zuma also dissolved the Presidential Task Team and instated a Strategic Presidential Team under his direct leadership last month. Political analysts say bringing Duduzane in could help create unity before the elections, but it also concentrates more authority around Zuma and those he trusts most.

MK says it wants to remake South African politics. But before voters trust it with the country, it must prove that leadership is earned inside the party, not inherited inside the Zuma clique.