JOHANNESBURG – The Umkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) could face a challenge if its leader, Jacob Zuma, remains in hospital and is unable to partake in the campaign trail ahead of the 2026 local elections set for 4 November.
This is the view of election analyst Wayne Sussman, who said Zuma’s visibility will be crucial in the coming weeks to build on the gains it made in the May 2024 elections.
“Umkhonto We Sizwe is on the cusp of achieving something very significant in provinces like KwaZulu-Natal, but if he's not at the helm, if his health continues to deteriorate, that could have a very seismic impact on Umkhonto weSizwe's performance and indeed on the results come the day after this election," he said.
According to Sussman, Zuma is one of the "most charismatic politicians with incredible brand recognition and name recognition and has that ability at a manifesto launch to lift the spirit of his activists".
And while Sussman recognises that Zuma’s son, Duduzane Zuma, holds a senior position in the MKP as the first deputy president, he said it would be worrisome for Zuma not to be visible during this crucial time.
READ | Zuma's hospitalisation raises questions over MK Party's election campaign
Zuma remains in Netcare St Anne’s Hospital in Pietermaritzburg.
The Presidency has confirmed that the surgeon general is overseeing his medical care.
The 84-year-old was admitted last week after the MKP called a routine check-up.
It's unclear if Zuma will attend campaign events, including his party’s manifesto launch in Mbombela on Sunday.
He's also due to appear before the TRC Cases Inquiry next Thursday.
READ |Zuma remains in hospital ahead of MK Party manifesto launch