Thapelo Lekabe

By Thapelo Lekabe

Senior Digital Journalist


WATCH: Duduzane Zuma wants to be president, has plans for 2024

Zuma says his supporters should not be distracted by the side shows, rhetoric and narratives ‘that have been built for a long time that keep us divided'.


Duduzane Zuma, the son of former president Jacob Zuma, has expanded on his political ambitions to one day become South Africa’s president.

In a video that has surfaced on social media, the businessman has given a teaser of what his presidency would focus on should his plans of getting his name on the ballot paper in 2024 work out. He has promised to deliver free education to the masses and also wants South Africans to be self-sufficient, instead of relying on government handouts.

“Reset, redistribute and rebuild – that’s all that we are going to do over the next two to three years so that by the time 2024 comes around, we’ll be fully in control,” Zuma said in the two-minute clip making the rounds on Twitter.

ALSO READ: Duduzane Zuma was ‘basically forced’ by ‘certain institutions’ to move to Dubai

“Our destiny is ours; we want to implement policies in favour of what we believe in and how we’re trying to channel and build this country over the next 20 to 50 years, starts now.

“One woman, one man, one vote, we are taking over.”

It was unclear when the video was shot and if it was shot in Dubai, where he lives after relocating to the United Arab Emirates following allegations of state capture and corruption levelled against him, his father and the Gupta family.

In October last year Zuma confirmed he would pursue a career in politics despite having no history in active politics.

He told Newzroom Afrika: “In the 2024 elections you might see my face on the ballot paper. As a matter of fact, there is a strong chance of that.”

ALSO READ: Duduzane Zuma on practising polygamy: ‘We’ll see’

Zuma also had a message for his supporters who might be sidetracked by the allegations against him being investigated by the Commission of Inquiry into Allegations of State Capture.

“Don’t be distracted by the sideshows, don’t be distracted by the rhetoric and the narratives that have been built for a long time that keep us divided. We’re going to pull together and make this happen for ourselves. We’ll not be dependent on handouts from anybody else,” he said.

“We will deliver free education and we will create opportunities for each other as an entire nation… so hold on tight, it’s going to be a bumpy ride, but we will get over that line.”

Keep fighting the good fight

With his father facing a possible two-year jail term for defying a Constitutional Court order to appear before the state capture commission, Zuma said the former president should keep on “fighting the good fight” because he is standing up for his constitutional rights.

“Mr Jacob Zuma, as a politician I appreciate what you’re doing. Keep fighting for what you believe in.

“Jacob Zuma the politician, it’s your constitutional right to fight for yourself.

“So, keep fighting the good fight. There is no constitutional crisis that will be created from you defending yourself. And to Jacob Zuma the father, I appreciate you and you are leading from the front as always. Thank you very much for teaching us how to fight.”

Watch Duduzane Zuma’s video below:

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