Jacob Zuma’s daughter speaks out – why she won’t join MK Party
Jacob Zuma’s daughter, Thuthukile Zuma
In a candid and uncompromising podcast appearance, Thuthukile Zuma, daughter of former president Jacob Zuma and ANC veteran Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, has firmly reiterated her loyalty to the African National Congress (ANC) while launching sharp criticism at the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP).
Speaking on the Sunday World Engage podcast, Thuthukile dismissed speculation that she is a covert supporter of the MK Party, which was launched in 2023 under her father’s leadership after his breakaway from the ANC. Comparing the new party to an amoeba, she argued that it is “shapeless, directionless, and without a coherent ideology.”
Loyalty to the ANC Above Family Politics
Thuthukile, who currently serves on the Johannesburg Regional Task Team (RTT), made clear that her political commitment lies with the ANC. She insisted that her work is not defined by her father’s political moves, but by her own belief in the ANC’s role as the vehicle for meaningful change in South Africa.
“People try to question my loyalty because of my surname, but I serve the ANC out of conviction,” she explained. “The MK Party does not present any clear policies or vision for South Africa’s future. My focus remains on improving lives through the ANC.”
Service Delivery and Johannesburg’s Struggles
Reflecting on Johannesburg’s coalition politics, Thuthukile highlighted how governance failures worsened under DA-led administrations after the ANC lost its majority in 2016. Potholes, broken traffic lights, and widespread infrastructure collapse, she argued, were not prevalent during Parks Tau’s tenure as mayor.
She acknowledged the current ANC-led coalition’s limitations, where decision-making is slowed by constant negotiations with partners such as the EFF and Patriotic Alliance. However, she expressed confidence that by-election results demonstrate citizens’ enduring trust in the ANC to restore the city’s functionality.
Renewal and the ANC’s Internal Challenges
Thuthukile also addressed the ANC’s internal weaknesses—cadre quality, disunity, and the risk of voter disengagement. She called for genuine renewal, urging leaders to reconnect with communities and focus on the National Democratic Revolution. For her, the biggest challenge lies not in the strength of opposition parties but in winning back disillusioned citizens who abstain from voting.
A Call to the Youth
On youth unemployment, she acknowledged the devastating 62% jobless rate and emphasised the importance of structural reforms to open economic opportunities for black South Africans, women, and young people. She encouraged the youth to organise and demand space in political life, echoing the activism of earlier generations.
Despite family ties, Thuthukile Zuma made it clear that her path diverges from her father’s. For her, the ANC though imperfect remains the only political force capable of addressing South Africa’s deep social and economic inequalities.
