Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla

Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla (born 20 May 1982) is a South African politician currently serving as a Member of the National Assembly of South Africa.^[1]

Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla
Born	(1982-05-19) 19 May 1982 (age 42) Maputo, Mozambique
Nationality	South African
Political party	UMkhonto we Sizwe
Spouse	Lonwabo Sambudla ​ ​ (m. 2011⁠–⁠2017)​
Parent(s)	Jacob Zuma Kate Mantsho (deceased)
Member of the National Assembly of South Africa
Incumbent
Assumed office 25 June 2024

Zuma-Sambudla is the daughter of former President Jacob Zuma. Zuma-Sambudla is notable for her activity on the social media platform Twitter. She was accused by the Democratic Alliance (DA)^[2] and the African National Congress (ANC) of posting tweets that helped incite the 2021 South African unrest following the arrest of her father for contempt of court.^[3][4] A 2023 report by the United Kingdom-based Centre for Information Resilience alleged that Zuma-Sambudla was at the centre of a Russian backed twitter campaign to increase support for the Russian invasion of Ukraine in South Africa.^[5][6]

In 2023 she followed her father out of the African National Congress into the newly formed UMkhonto we Sizwe party. She ran in 18th place on its national list for the 2024 South African general election.^[7] She appeared next to her father on the campaign trail and serves in the inner core group of the party.^[8]

In July 2024, Zuma-Sambudla was elected to represent South Africa in the Pan-African Parliament.^[9]

On 30 January 2025, Zuma-Sambudla was arrested on terrorism charges on suspicion of inciting violence on social media that contributed to the 2021 South African unrest.^[10]

References

1. "Ms Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla". Parliament of South Africa.
2. Masuabi, Queenin. "DA: Malema and Zuma's children – Duduzile and Duduzane – incite violence". City Press. Retrieved 10 May 2023.
3. Amashabalala, Mawande (12 July 2021). "'She will have to explain her tweets': ANC to hold Zuma's daughter accountable for Twitter posts". TimesLIVE. Retrieved 10 May 2023.
4. Thamm, Marianne (12 July 2021). "AGE OF ANARCHY: Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla – from pampered diamond queen to armchair instigator of violence". Daily Maverick. Retrieved 10 May 2023.
5. "UKRAINE CRISIS: Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla at centre of Russian Twitter drive to sway public opinion in South Africa – study". Daily Maverick. Bloomberg. 10 May 2023. Retrieved 10 May 2023.
6. "Russian Twitter drive has Zuma daughter at center, study claims". Moneyweb. 10 May 2023. Retrieved 10 May 2023.
7. "Jacob Zuma's MK - the political wildcard in South Africa's election". 14 March 2024. Retrieved 31 May 2024.
8. "Jacob Zuma's MK takes fight to ANC stronghold of Soweto in South Africa election". BBC. Retrieved 31 May 2024.
9. "SA elects several new members to PAP". SABC News. 2 July 2024. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
10. "Former South Africa President Jacob Zuma's daughter is arrested on terrorism charges". AP News. 30 January 2025. Retrieved 30 January 2025.