Housewife to 'Hottest MP': Duduzile Zuma's qualifications revealed
Since taking up rank in the MK Party, the mother-of-two has been criticised for her lack of political experience and general knowledge. She has also been accused of abusing drugs – allegations she has yet to address.
Duduzile is the twin sister of Duduzane, who has also gone into politics. Their mother – the late Kate Mantsho – died in 2000 in an alleged suicide.
After being indirectly embarrassed by Floyd Shivambu, all eyes are on Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla's next move.
While some await another heated X rant, others want to know how Zuma's daughter is qualified to govern in the MK Party's inner core management.
Speaking to DJ Warras on The Shady Podcast last year, Duduzile revealed that she had no political experience. While she graduated from Wits Business School – for a qualification she did not disclose – she considered herself a stay-at-home mom and housewife. Did Floyd Shivambu accuse Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla of taking drugs? Images via X: @floydshivambu @ZumaSambudla/
In the lead-up to the official launch of the MK Party, Duduzile embarked on her first political campaign with her father, Jacob Zuma.
She said of politics, 'I love it. I have a bit of understanding of it now.'
When asked if she was considered MK Party top brass, she confidently added: 'My father is the head. But I am the neck.'
She added: 'I sit in the core. I vote with other comrades; we make decisions, we debate.'
Amid the public criticism, Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla urged South Africans to give her a chance to prove herself.
During last year's vote count, the estranged wife of Lonwaba Sambudla was ridiculed over her comments about the MK Party's mission.
Speaking to Newzroom Afrika, Duduzile was questioned on what the MK Party could offer South Africans. She responded: 'The same kind of government that we had under President Jacob Zuma, those amazing nine years, very similar.
Speaking to the Sowetan , Duduzile Zuma was again questioned on the agenda of the MK Party.
She said: 'Doing what the President said under his economy, which is great. We will just go back to that. Because the economy under Cyril Ramaphosa was dismal'.
When asked to elaborate on two key points in their economic plan, Duduzile responded: 'We'll probably look at things like the repo rate to assist in bringing down food prices or whatever. Things to alleviate poverty and too much strain on the pocket of the people'.
In the midst of it, Duduzile told the Daily Maverick: 'It is something I'm still learning and overwhelmed by. But happy to be here and part of the change the country and the world needs.'
Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla's history with the controversial Gupta family is no secret.
Both Duduzile and her twin Duduzane were hired to work for the brothers Ajay, Atul, and Rajesh's Sahara Group company. The daughter of Jacob Zuma was given the title of director at Sahara Computers in 2008, months before he was elected president of South Africa. She later resigned amid public scrutiny.
The brothers – who alongside Zuma's son Duduzane were accused of fraudulently securing government tenders – have since fled South Africa amid charges of treason, racketeering, extortion, fraud, and forgery.
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Daily Maverick
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He fed conspiracy theories, and inflamed ethno-nationalist sentiment at home and abroad. My American pride is challenged with betrayal – not by our leaders who can justify their actions with rational self-interest, but by my fellow Americans. I see a troubling acceptance of falsehoods used to justify narratives and personal gain. America is an institution, and institutions thrive on shared values, enabling us to build trust and debate nuanced issues with respect and honesty. Without integrity, what we say no longer matters. We cannot communicate. Instead, we're reduced to shouting matches and entrenched division. These falsehoods resonate, not because they're plausible and attractive to the agenda of a few, but because Americans have become willing to accept lies over truth. It is perhaps the telltale sign of inevitable decline – reinforcing the historical evidence that great empires and nations survive and begin to fail within 250 years (the United States celebrates 249 this year). When counterparties give up on the pursuit of truth with complete candour, communication becomes impossible, and relationships and the institutions that surround them inevitably slip further into decline. Americans are accepting falsehoods, and we will continue to lose global relevance with each passing day until this stops. Americans must accept that President Trump isn't the cause of our institutional decay; it is us, ourselves. South Africa, this is a mistake you must never make: do not allow politicians to weave even self-serving falsehoods into their narratives. Collectively, South Africans must channel empathy and communicate with transparent candour – especially when the truth is inconvenient and challenges the comfort of our own tribes. White farm murders are no more part of a coordinated plot to wipe out white people than the collapse of the education system is part of a grand conspiracy to suppress black economic mobility. 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This is itself a systemic vestige of an apartheid past which produces echo chambers: insular spaces where fear, entitlement and victim mindsets go unchallenged. But it doesn't have to be this way. In fact, I believe South Africa has a different path in front of it, and one to which the world should be paying attention. I've noticed how South Africans pedestal things that come from 'overseas'. Whether it's policies, products or personalities, there's a subtle but persistent inferiority complex that creeps into conversations. South Africans should be proud of what they have. What you've built, despite extraordinary odds, is awesome, unique and worth continuing to fight for. South Africa's multicultural realities should not be ignored. The formation of the Government of National Unity is an encouraging big step towards reconciliation, integration and cooperation. Yes, there's dysfunction. Yes, there's corruption. 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After more than 30 years working with youth, I've seen how people quickly drop tribal lenses and start identifying as concerned citizens when we recognise this shared priority: society's children. That means recognising that South Africa is a society of broken families that must be intentional about stepping in where families cannot. It means prioritising and nurturing safe early childhood development centres; demanding well-trained, excellent teachers; developing internship programmes in our companies that bring youth into professional networks beyond their families' reach; and offering access to clean and secure public spaces. These should not be luxuries. They are the foundations of a just society that instils confidence and empowers youth. By creating opportunities for youth to communicate across cultures, we pave the way for earnest communication. This sets the stage for the precise opposite of what faces the United States in its visible decline: a South Africa where a generation of young people can communicate with candour and with the skills necessary to collaborate to tackle complex issues. We need them to participate in the obstacles of the moment and navigate the unseen challenges ahead. Thank you for welcoming me as a guest into your country, your conversations, your communities. If the world is looking for leadership in this new century – not in military might or economic dominance, but in humility, complexity and moral clarity – I believe deeply multicultural South Africa has something powerful to offer … provided we leverage candour and kindness to ' maak 'n plan '. Call to action Protect things that matter. Defend the truth. Become a guardian of this country's future. Act in the name of all our children. Get involved with schools and youth programmes – especially if you're reading this, consider communities beyond your own. Inclusively ensure all children have access to the things we know to be important, and along the way never forget a core concept of the institutions we all trust – ' ductus exemplo ': to lead by example. We can only teach our youth to communicate with candour and integrity with people who are radically different from themselves … by doing it ourselves.
