Zuma a no-show on first day of MK Party's Limpopo election campaign
It’s understood that Zuma will now only lead uMkhonto weSizwe’s election campaign at Malumelele Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Former President Jacob Zuma addresses members of the media under the banner of new party uMkhontho We Sizwe on 16 December 2023. Picture: Kayleen Morgan/Eyewitness News
LIMPOPO - Former President Jacob Zuma was a no-show on day one of uMkhonto weSizwe’s election campaign in Limpopo, where he was set to visit several villages in the province.
Earlier this week, the party’s provincial leaders released a programme, insisting that Zuma would rally for support in Giyani, Thohoyandou and Malumelele.
Zuma was scheduled to visit the graves of struggle icons Peter Dambuza Malada and Collins Chabane, and he was also set to engage traditional leaders.
However, uMkhonto weSizwe spokesperson, Nhlamulo Baloyi, confirmed to Eyewitness News that the programme was not approved by the party’s national structure.
It’s understood that Zuma will now only lead uMkhonto weSizwe’s election campaign at Malumelele Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Some residents at Muyexe village near Giyani, who are seemingly fond of the former president, expressed their unwavering support for Zuma.
Another resident, Eddie Hlungwani, said he was anticipating seeing the former president as he said Zuma helped develop the rural area back in 2009
“We know Zuma very well. He came to our Muxeye village, he just prioritises rural areas. So as people of this rural area, we are going to support him to become president.”
While this resident wants Zuma to hold office again, the South African Constitution limits candidates to two terms at the Union Buildings.