Duduzane Zuma, son of embattled ex-President Jacob Zuma has been elected chairperson of an ANC branch in Durban.
Zuma received overwhelming support for the role at a branch biennial general meeting (BBGM) of the Newlands ward 11 ANC branch.
With his campaign six months ago to become a future ANC president, this is the first step in Zuma’s self-stated mission.
ANC branch members had initially negotiated to make him secretary of the branch, but he refused.
Although Zuma does not live in Newlands, he previously explained that he is familiar with the community through family ties. His wife, Shanice Stork is resident in the area.
“Just because I don’t live here doesn’t mean I don’t spend time here. I have family in this community — my in-laws are here. Me not being here 100% of my time should not take away from the work that needs to be done,” he said.
“It is the same in many communities around the country — people leave and never look back. The whole idea behind what I’m trying to do is to come back and make a difference.
“These are the conditions of people I know.”
While initially there were ANC members who were opposed to his election as chair, an insider who is familiar with the branch said Zuma was “very popular”.
Zuma’s election comes just in time for the eThekwini regional conference, slated for early 2022.