Duduzane Zuma defends MK Party dynasty claims, says party wants outright majority in eThekwini - IOL

MK Party Deputy President Duduzane Zuma says the party is targeting an outright majority in eThekwini, while preparing for coalition talks if it falls short.

The MK Party is targeting an outright majority in eThekwini and plans to take action against hijacked buildings and informal settlements if it takes control of the metro after the November 4 local government elections.

MK Party's first deputy president, Duduzane Zuma, told IOL the party was targeting a 50%-plus-one majority in eThekwini, but acknowledged that coalition talks could be necessary if it fell short.

“We’ve been clear that we want an outright majority. We are pushing for that. We believe we will get there. Failing which, we are realistic people, there will need to be conversations,” he said.

Any coalition discussions would be based on whether potential partners shared MKP’s priorities.

“Poverty is not a race card. People are suffering. If you’re not about getting people out of poverty, it’s not a conversation we’re going to have,” he said.

On the DA’s description of the ANC, EFF and MKP as a “coalition of doom”, Zuma said MKP was prepared to engage with other parties if they were committed to addressing poverty.

He also outlined plans for eThekwini that include public-private partnerships to revive the Durban CBD, deal with dilapidated buildings and reclaim land occupied by informal settlements.

“We need to reclaim that land and do what we need to do.” 

Zuma said the metro had close to 600 informal settlements and identified safety and security, water and electricity, re-industrialisation and urban rejuvenation among MKP’s priorities.

“We need to see cranes all over the city. That’s when you know a city is thriving.” 

He also criticised the state of basic services in the city.

“We are delivering water in buckets in 2026. We are living in a madhouse,” he said.

Zuma said the MK Party has not abandoned its ambition of eventually playing a leading role in the KwaZulu-Natal government.

The party won the largest share of the provincial vote in KZN in the 2024 national and provincial elections, but was left out of the provincial government after the ANC, DA and IFP formed an administration.

“We have definitely not given up on governing KZN. We have a very strong team in the legislature,” Zuma said.

MKP wanted to reach a position where it could run the province and influence decisions in the provincial government.

Zuma acknowledged that the outcome of the local government elections remained uncertain, with political discussions already taking place ahead of the vote.

“With 30 days to go, anything is possible. There’s conversations that have been in boardrooms and there’s conversations that have been behind the scenes,” he said.

He nevertheless reaffirmed MKP’s provincial ambitions.

“We are definitely still very gung-ho on getting to run this province.”

MKP currently has no plans to hold an elective conference to determine its leadership.

Zuma said the party was still building its structures and did not want its internal leadership process exposed to outside financial and political influence.

“We’re a startup organisation. We’re still finding ourselves filtering people into the relative spaces,” he said.

He said the decision had been taken by party president Jacob Zuma.

“There’s been a conscious decision that’s been made, that has been made by the head of our organisation, the president, and as it stands there will be no elective conference,” he said.

Zuma also addressed criticism that MKP’s leadership structure amounted to a political dynasty because he serves as deputy president under his father, party president Jacob Zuma.

He said his family responsibilities existed separately from his political role.

“Whatever happens, it’s my responsibility to look out for my family. In his absence, I’m the guy,” Zuma said.

He dismissed the political criticism surrounding their relationship.

“People can speak about dynasties and nepotism. It is what it is. Whether you like it or not, it’s going to be there. I’m here. He’s there. I’m his deputy. That’s how we move.”

Zuma said he wanted to participate directly in politics rather than remain outside the political process.

“I don’t want to be that person sitting in the backseat and complaining and pointing fingers. I want to be in the action, and if there’s going to be change, I want to be a part of that change,” he said.

He said he had previously considered building his own political movement before becoming actively involved in MK Party.

Zuma said MKP expected to occupy a much stronger political position by the 2029 national election.

“In 2029, besides personalities as an organisation, we believe we will be sitting at the mountaintop, that’s for sure,” he said, adding that Jacob Zuma would remain at the forefront of the party.