- MK Party deputy president Duduzane Zuma addressed concerns about his father Jacob Zuma's health at a campaign rally in uMgababa on 18 October 2026
- Duduzane insisted the MK Party is pursuing a two-thirds majority and ruled out any coalition discussions ahead of the vote
- Jacob Zuma has been absent from the campaign trail while undergoing medical check-ups, raising questions about his role in the party
Source: Getty Images
KWAZULU-NATAL — MK Party deputy president Duduzane Zuma has moved to calm concerns about his father Jacob Zuma's health, telling reporters at a campaign rally in uMgababa that the former president is undergoing routine medical check-ups rather than facing a serious health crisis. This was after Zuma was admitted to hospital recently.
Speaking at the eMnini Sports Centre on 18 October 2026, Duduzane addressed Newzroom Afrika, with a large crowd assembled behind him. His remarks came with roughly two weeks remaining before the scheduled vote.
Jacob Zuma's absence explained
Duduzane was direct in pushing back against what he called a misconception about his father's condition. "The President hasn't been aware. He's taking it easy. He's getting necessary medical check-ups, which is what we do from time to time," he said. "So he may be absent, but he is present in all decision-making capacity and where the party is going."
Jacob Zuma's absence from the campaign trail had drawn attention, but Duduzane maintained that the party's direction remained firmly under the elder Zuma's guidance.
MK Party dismisses coalition talks
When pressed on the party's appetite for coalition government if a two-thirds majority proved out of reach, Duduzane was unequivocal.
"We're not entertaining any coalition talks in the sense of having discussions now or playing for a loss, we're playing for a win," he said.
He acknowledged the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) had cast doubt on the feasibility of the target, but insisted the party believed otherwise.
"That two-thirds majority is not something that we speak of lightly. It's something that we believe in. It's something that we've achieved. Never mind the IEC has said something else."
Duduzane left the door open for post-election recalibration if the result did not go the party's way, but stressed that no such scenario was being entertained ahead of polling day. "What happens after that is a different story. We'll readjust from there. But for now, two-thirds majority, we're going all out."
Watch Duduzane Zuma's full interview at the uMgababa rally:
Zuma Foundation slams media enquiries about Zuma's health
In a related article, Briefly News reported on the JG Zuma Foundation’s call for media organisations to stop seeking regular updates on Jacob Zuma’s health, saying the enquiries infringe on his privacy.
Conflicting reports about Zuma’s hospitalisation have fuelled public speculation, with claims about his condition and discharge later disputed by the Foundation.
Source: Briefly News
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