The MK Party on Tuesday celebrated the swearing-in of Brumelda Zuma, daughter of former president Jacob Zuma, as she joins the party’s caucus in Parliament.

The move has sparked discussions about the party’s image as a family business, yet party leaders insist that Brumelda’s credentials and activist background stand on their own.

Chief whip Colleen Makhubele defended the appointment, emphasising Brumelda’s qualifications and her commitment to the party’s vision and political mandate.

“Yes, Brumelda is President Zuma’s daughter. She has got a degree in public administration and is an activist in her own right and she has been doing a lot of work since the inception of our MK Party to be what it is today,” Makhubele said.

“I think in her own right, she has made a mark, and her path in politics is here to unfold, and we trust that she will add a lot of value to the caucus, especially in our committee of public service administration. That is where her strength lies,” Makhubele added.

Brumelda, alongside fellow newly sworn-in MPs — former deputy minister Bongani Mkongi, former Lekwa municipality Speaker Makhosazana Radebe, and Pumlani Kubukeli of the Umkhonto weSizwe Military Veterans Association — took the oath of office in a ceremony officiated by National Assembly deputy Speaker Annelie Lotriet.

The quartet fills positions left vacant by recent resignations, including that of Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, who stepped down amid alleged involvement in enlistment of 17 men in the war between Ukraine and Russia.  

Brumelda expressed delight at being sworn in as an MP.

“Ours is to execute the people’s mandate and ensure that the people of South Africa have access to public services. What I studied for is aligned to that,” she said in a brief interview posted by the party on social media.

Her profile shared by the MK Party highlights her educational background in public administration and a history of engagement in student politics, reflecting a deep commitment to serving the public. “She values a deep understanding of government and legislative systems as key to delivering people-centered services,” the profile states.

Mkongi, who resigned from the ANC to join the MK Party, expressed that he believes the former liberation movement has lost its relevance.

“It is not a viable vehicle today to be a leader of society. The mistake that the ANC has committed is a political blunder to the people in general, therefore, the birth of uMkhonto weSizwe to replace the ANC and make sure that we are taking our people to a total liberation,” he said.

Mkongi said his focus on his return to Parliament was on changing the fundamentals of the lives of the people.

“My contribution is to make sure that Mkhonto weSizwe makes its mark in the delivery of service for our people,” he added.

Meanwhile, Makhubele would not be drawn to comment on the complaint she reportedly lodged against suspended parliamentary leader John Hlophe.

“We don’t talk about our party processes outside of the party structures, and those issues are dealt with by national officials, so I cannot comment on any of those issues that you have placed,” she said.

Makhubele also said they were at the happy occasion to welcome their new members.

“The focus should be on how we make sure that they are integrated,” she said.

mayibongwe.maqhina@inl.co.za

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