Zuma Says Many South Africans Still Feel Enslaved
Former president Jacob Zuma made the remark at a Durban media briefing as provisional 2026 local government election results emerged.
Updated on Nov. 9, 2026 in Politics — General
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Jacob Zuma claimed many South Africans feel they are still living like slaves in their own country during a media briefing in Durban on Friday. The remarks came as provisional results from the 2026 local government elections were emerging.
Why it matters
Zuma's comments link the economic hardship many black South Africans face to voting patterns and political unity ahead of final election results. Political opponents have criticised his use of the word 'slaves', making the remark a point of contention in the post-election period.
Provisional 2026 local government election results show the MK Party recording strong support in KwaZulu-Natal and gains in eThekwini. Final results are expected soon, and the extent of the party's gains remains unconfirmed until they are announced.
The players
Jacob Zuma
Former South African president and leader of the MK Party, who is 84 years old and recovered from an illness earlier in 2026.
MK Party
Political party led by Jacob Zuma that is recording strong provisional support in KwaZulu-Natal and gains in municipalities including eThekwini.
Electoral Commission of South Africa
The independent body that runs South Africa's elections and operated the Provincial Results Operations Centre in Durban where the briefing took place.
The details
Zuma made the remarks at the Electoral Commission's Provincial Results Operations Centre at the Durban International Convention Centre, where he and senior MK Party representatives also discussed coalition arrangements and post-election plans. He linked the feeling of enslavement to how people vote and their failure to unite behind a single political movement, and argued that many black South Africans still face economic hardship despite political freedom.
Timeline
Friday: Zuma's media briefing in Durban on provisional 2026 local government election results.
Earlier in 2026: Zuma recovered from an illness.
Final 2026 local government election results expected soon.
Political Context
Zuma has criticised the Government of National Unity throughout the campaign and used the local government vote to press his call for supporters to take back control of the country and its land. His 'slaves' remark sits within that broader challenge to the governing coalition and the post-2024 political order.
The final local government results will decide which parties form municipal councils and who governs in areas including eThekwini and across KwaZulu-Natal. Residents in those municipalities will see the outcome shape local service delivery and budgets.
The takeaway
Election outcomes at the municipal level can reshape local governance well beyond the headline results, so watching the final coalition arrangements is the clearest way to see what changes next. Readers should wait for official final results before drawing firm conclusions.
What happens next
Final 2026 local government election results are expected to be announced soon, and coalition arrangements for the MK Party will follow.
Further reading
Follow the latest developments in Politics — General for ongoing coverage of South Africa's election outcomes.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Ghanamma.
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