Jacob Zuma Returns to Campaign Trail at MK Party’s Final Election Rally

Zuma Returns to Campaign Trail at KwaMashu Rally Ahead of Local Government Elections

Jacob Zuma addressed supporters at the Princess Magogo Stadium in KwaMashu on Sunday, marking his first public appearance since spending 11 days in a Pietermaritzburg hospital following an October 6 health scare. The uMkhonto weSizwe Party leader denied fear of arrest, urged black South Africans to reclaim ancestral land, and criticized those who sit with the enemy ahead of Wednesday’s local government elections.

The 84-year-old former president arrived at the eThekwini rally looking frail as he approached the podium with his son, Duduzane Zuma. Moments later, he broke into song and danced across the stage to his signature struggle tune, Umshini wam, as supporters cheered from the stands. His public return followed an almost month-long campaign absence that began after he fell ill while speaking at an event in uMsinga on October 6 and was subsequently discharged from Netcare St Anne’s Hospital on October 17.

Addressing Health Concerns and Reclaiming Ancestral Land

Speaking to the crowd on Sunday, Zuma brushed off concerns regarding his physical condition. Beyond his health, he rejected speculation about an impending arrest, stating he had faced imprisonment before and harbored no fear of going to jail.

The MK Party leader dedicated a portion of his address to land reform. He called for black South Africans to unite and reclaim the land of their ancestors. He also expressed bewilderment that people who fought for democracy would partner with white people. How can you sit with your enemy and call the enemy your brother? he asked.

Contrasting Final Campaign Appeals Across KwaZulu-Natal

While the MK Party gathered in KwaMashu, rival political organizations held their own final rallies across KwaZulu-Natal as early voting opened for the 2026 local government elections. The African National Congress deployed its secretary-general to Curries Fountain Stadium for its final Siyanqoba rally, fighting to protect a 26-year grip on governance in the province’s only metro.

Meanwhile, Inkatha Freedom Party leader Velenkosini Hlabisa spoke to supporters at a final rally in Ulundi, urging voters to channel frustration into action, emphasizing the importance of participating in the elections.

Frequently Asked Questions About the 2026 Local Government Elections

When did Jacob Zuma leave the hospital before returning to the campaign trail?

Zuma was discharged from Netcare St Anne’s Hospital in Pietermaritzburg on October 17, 2026, after spending 11 days receiving treatment for an illness that struck him during an October 6 campaign event in uMsinga.

Where did the MK Party hold its final pre-election rally?

The party held its final gathering at the Princess Magogo Stadium in KwaMashu, eThekwini, where Zuma made his first public appearance since his medical discharge.

What date do voters head to the polls for the local government elections?

Voters cast their ballots on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, following early voting periods that opened on Monday morning.

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