By Celani Sikhakhane
- MKP’s Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla says the party must stop treating Shembe Church like an election stop.
- She says former president Jacob Zuma’s popularity is helping rebuild the party’s strength in KZN and beyond.
Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla has called on uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) members to stop visiting the Shembe Church only during elections.
The MKP member of Parliament said the party must build a real relationship with the church, not just show up when it needs votes.
Zuma-Sambudla was speaking at the Shembe Church’s annual gathering near Tuhuis Hostel in Umlazi, south of Durban.
She and other MKP members were there to thank the church leader at eBuhleni for the party’s recent by-election wins in Richmond and Cape Town.
“We should be part of this church as MKP and pay visit regularly, not during the election period. As you can see, there are no upcoming by-elections, but we are here,” she said, smiling.
She said the win in Richmond showed the party was reconnecting with its roots — visiting communities, doing blitz campaigns and holding motorcade events.
She also said her father, former president Jacob Zuma, played a big role in bringing the party together.
“The Zumas have helped us to regain our strength. He allows the current leadership to operate freely without any disruption,” she said.
“We cannot fool ourselves that Zuma is not loved. Look at what happened in Namibia during the presidential inauguration. It was a sign that Africa loves Zuma as he is loved in South Africa.”
The MKP has had its share of trouble. Infighting and accusations of R56 million missing from the Legislature Caucus led to the suspension of leaders Dr Kwazi Mbanjwa and Thobani Zuma.
But both told Scrolla.Africa that, despite being suspended from the party, they remain members of the KwaZulu-Natal legislature because the rules of the legislature are separate from those of the party.
Pictured above: MKP members visit the Shembe Church during its annual gathering in Umlazi.
Image source: MKP
