‘Apartheid disadvantaged me’: Dudu Zuma-Sambudla hits back at trolls after getting isiZulu interpreter

MK Party’s (MKP) Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla has been in the spotlight after addressing party supporters in Wentworth, KwaZulu-Natal in English when she was assisted by an isiZulu translator this week. 

Zuma-Sambudla had to address party supporters because her father Jacob Zuma was a “no show” at an election campaign event on Monday.

“I want to apologise as president Zuma could not be here. He had to go somewhere on an urgent basis. As you know, ever since December 16, he has been at war and fighting with everyone trying to attack him. He is trying to sort out some stuff,” she said. 

Social media users expressed widespread disappointment in Zuma-Sambudla as she seldom speaks isiZulu at public events. This is different  from her “traditionalist” father's approach.

Some people believe her speaking in English created a gap between her and the Zulu-speaking community in KwaZulu-Natal.

Residents in Wentworth speak a mixture of languages including isiZulu, English and Afrikaans.

In response to the backlash, Zuma-Sambudla said: “People have a problem with my English. Askies [sorry], apartheid disadvantaged me but this English is taking me to parliament.” 

Zuma-Sambudla and her twin brother were born in Mozambique and spent their early years in a foreign country before moving to Zambia and later Zimbabwe while their family was in exile during the apartheid era. 

Here are some reactions from social media.