Duduzile Zuma, the daughter of former South African president Jacob Zuma, again faces backlash for her ongoing struggle to speak isiZulu, her father’s native language. Despite living in South Africa for over two decades, her inability to communicate fluently in the language continues to draw negative attention.
Public Apology at Ulundi Event Sparks Debate
Zuma-Sambudla recently addressed a gathering of MK Party supporters in Ulundi, KwaZulu-Natal, where she apologized for not being able to speak isiZulu. In a viral video from the event, she acknowledged her linguistic shortfall, explaining that growing up in Mozambique during apartheid had impacted her ability to learn her native tongue.
“I am sorry, I can’t speak isiZulu. I am a victim of apartheid, so this is one of the consequences. We didn’t grow up in South Africa, and I didn’t get the opportunity to learn my mother language. But I’m trying; I’m learning”
Her apology did little to pacify critics, many of whom argue that, given her long-term residence in South Africa, her continued difficulty with isiZulu reflects a lack of effort and interest in connecting with her cultural roots.
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Previous Criticism and Social Media Backlash
This recent event is not the first time Zuma-Sambudla has been criticized for her language skills. Back in May, during an election campaign event, she needed a translator to communicate with the crowd, which again drew negative reactions from the public. Many expressed disbelief that, after so many years in South Africa, she was still unable to speak the language of her heritage.
Social media users were quick to voice their opinions, with many pointing out that even non-South Africans have successfully learned local languages within a few years of living in the country. Critics accused her of being uninterested in embracing her roots and pointed to examples of foreigners who have made significant efforts to learn South African languages.
One such example that has been frequently mentioned is that of American woman Elizabeth Matlou. In a viral video, she delivered a heartfelt speech in Sepedi, her husband Hendrick Matlou’s native language, at their wedding.
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Blaming Apartheid for Language Barriers
In defending her language struggles, Zuma-Sambudla often references the challenges posed by her upbringing during apartheid. At the age of 12, apartheid officially ended, but by that time, her early education and upbringing had been shaped by her time in Mozambique, a Portuguese-speaking country.
While apartheid undoubtedly had a significant impact on the lives of many South Africans, critics argue that Zuma-Sambudla has had ample opportunity since the country’s transition to democracy to learn isiZulu.