Former South African President Jacob Zuma has returned to the political campaign trail after weeks away from public engagements following a hospital stay, reassuring supporters as his party prepares for Wednesday’s local government elections.
The 84-year-old addressed thousands of supporters of his uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party at a rally in KwaMashu, Durban, on Sunday, November 1. It was his first in-person public appearance since he was admitted to hospital in October.
“Thank you, I am back,” Zuma told the crowd at the beginning of his speech, which lasted about 45 minutes.
His return comes at a crucial moment for the MK Party, which is seeking to strengthen its political influence ahead of the November 4 elections.
Zuma was admitted to a hospital in Pietermaritzburg in early October after reportedly falling ill during a campaign event in KwaZulu-Natal. He spent 11 days in hospital before being discharged on October 17.
The party described his hospital visit as routine and said he needed time to rest under medical supervision. President Cyril Ramaphosa also wished him a speedy recovery following reports of his hospitalisation.
Zuma did not provide further details about his health during Sunday's rally.
His absence had raised concerns among supporters, particularly in KwaZulu-Natal, where he remains an influential political figure.
Derick Mkhize, an MK Party candidate for local office, told AFP that seeing Zuma return had lifted his spirits.
“I was worried when I heard on the radio that Baba (Zuma) was unwell. To see him here today, alive and fighting, gives me strength,” he said.
During his address, Zuma urged supporters to rally behind the party, declaring that it intended to reclaim political power.
“We are going to start by taking back our country here,” he said.
The MK Party is hoping to make significant gains in KwaZulu-Natal, Zuma's political stronghold. Opinion polls have suggested the party could secure close to half of the vote in the province, potentially putting it in a strong position to govern some municipalities.
However, the wider national election is expected to produce a fragmented political landscape, with several parties competing for control of major cities and municipalities. Coalition negotiations could play a significant role where no party secures an outright majority.
Zuma, a veteran of South Africa's struggle against apartheid, served as president from 2009 to 2018. He resigned following sustained pressure from within the African National Congress (ANC) amid a series of corruption scandals.
Despite his departure from the presidency, he has remained an influential figure in the country's politics.
He launched the MK Party in December 2023 after falling out with the ANC, the party that had governed South Africa since the end of apartheid.
The movement made a strong debut in the 2024 general election, becoming the country's third-largest political force and emerging as the biggest party in KwaZulu-Natal.
Wednesday's local government elections will offer another test of Zuma's political influence as the MK Party seeks to translate its growing support into control of municipalities.
