Cape Town – Former president Jacob Zuma’s son, Duduzane, says he wants to be South Africa’s next president, adding that despite black people being the majority, a joint effect by all races is vital in order to develop the country.
The KwaZulu-Natal ANC ward 11 chairperson and businessman said this as he shared various aspects about his life during a conversation with YouTuber and podcast host Penuel the Black Pen.
“The one thing that we need to understand is if we think we’re going to develop this country without white people, it’s not going to happen. Without Indian people, it’s not going to happen and without coloured people, it’s not going to happen. This has to be a joint effort,” he said.
Duduzane said that he was not a politician, but running to become president.
“I’m not a politician. I’m a businessman. This is what I’ve done my whole life. I understand there’s a need to get involved in politics because these things happen in our country, and we need to take advantage of this opportunity that’s been created for us to play a high-level game.
“So that’s why I’m getting involved in politics. I don’t want to be called a politician, because that comes with its own stigma. I’m a businessman who’s just trying to make a difference in life,” said Duduzane.
He said he wanted people to campaign for their rights and freedoms.
“I will get my clarity. I will get my day where I’m going to win this battle, there’s no doubt about it. I don’t want people campaigning for me in my name. I want people to campaign for the rights and freedoms of the truth,” he said.
Duduzane also revealed that he still didn’t have a bank account in the country since 2015 and had been surviving by surrounding himself with good people.
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“I’m able to survive without being part of a financial system. You know, it was unfairly shut down, but it is what it is. Life is full of trials and tribulations. You’ve got to know how to survive. So I’m still here. I’m still doing something right, and we will see how it goes from here on,” he was quoted as saying.
He added: “I did ask; I sent some emails, and I asked, what is the situation? And what’s the reason for closure? And the two reasons that they give are reputational risk and that they reserve the right, which is neither here nor there for me, especially since I have done nothing wrong. I’ve been accused of a lot of things. I’ve stood my ground; I’ve had my day in court, as they say, and I’ve come out, and I’m still here.
“The reasoning from my side is that they are not good enough. I can say that there are people who have been convicted of crazy crimes; some are sitting in prison, but they got their little bank cards; the little accounts have no reputation and pose zero reputational risk. I’m talking about rapists, serial murderers, you name them, they have bank accounts,” Duduzane said.
Speaking on Indian news channel WION recently, Duduzane said the country was on the verge of collapse.
“We need people who are up to the task and people well versed, well equipped [and] well experienced, even at a young age, but most importantly fit for purpose. I think this is the trick we’ve missed in our country.
“There have been a lot of leaders who have come up, a lot of leaders who have played their part, but that time is gone. It is a new time and it needs new soldiers. We are here, we are good to go,” he said.