A decade-old political storm is back in the headlines — and it’s about more than just R1-million parties. From State House corridors to dusty village homesteads, we unpack the truth behind the claims, the politics, and the stakes for South Africa.
The Story They Whispered, Until It Couldn’t Be Hidden
In South African politics, power has often been exercised behind closed doors, in whispered phone calls, and in quiet directives that never make it into official minutes.
But according to Scrolla.Africa, during Jacob Zuma’s presidency (2009–2018), those whispers sometimes carried a price tag — and a big one at that.
Multiple sources allege that between 2009 and 2015, Zuma “bullied” KwaZulu-Natal premiers into funding private family traditional ceremonies with taxpayer money.
Two events, in particular, stood out for their eye-watering price:
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A Reed Dance-linked celebration at Durban’s Albert Park.
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An ancestral ceremony in Mpendle hosted by his relative, iNkosi Simphiwe Zuma.
Each allegedly carried a R1-million bill — footed by the KZN Office of the Premier.
“He would call the Premier and tell him to pay a certain amount for a gathering of his family,” one source told Scrolla.Africa.
And these weren’t the only occasions. Sources claim smaller private homestead gatherings in Nkandla sometimes cost the public purse R300,000 a pop.
The Breaking Point: When Senzo Mchunu Said ‘No’
The arrangement, alleged or otherwise, appears to have ended in 2015 when then-premier Senzo Mchunu refused to sign off on further payments.
That decision reportedly sparked a bitter feud between Zuma and Mchunu — a feud that, if insiders are to be believed, continues to shape national politics today.
Zuma, furious at the halt in funding, allegedly reminded Mchunu:
“Do not forget I am the one who put you in power.”
Mchunu’s reply, according to the source:
“I will never allow public funds to be spent on the private gathering of a certain family.”
The fallout is said to be one of the reasons Zuma now wants President Cyril Ramaphosa to remove Mchunu from his current role as Police Minister.
A Political Feud That Outlived Its Origin
This is not just an old grudge; it has been weaponised in current political battles. Zuma’s uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party has reportedly taken the matter to the Constitutional Court, further blurring the line between personal vendettas and political strategy.
The scandal also intersects with another dark chapter: iNkosi Simphiwe Zuma, the traditional leader linked to one of the ceremonies, is now in prison for the murder of DA councillor Nhlalayenza Ndlovu.
The Bigger Question: Where Do Public Funds End and Private Power Begin?
This isn’t the first time South Africa has had to grapple with allegations of public money being used for private benefit. The Nkandla scandal itself — involving upgrades to Zuma’s private homestead — remains one of the country’s most infamous cases of “state resources for personal comfort.”
The latest claims revive uncomfortable questions:
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Who watches the spending when it’s cloaked in “cultural” or “traditional” significance?
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Can accountability truly exist when political loyalty is traded for funding approval?
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And perhaps most importantly — how many such stories never see the light of day?
Why This Matters in 2025
In the middle of an election season where corruption, service delivery failures, and unemployment dominate public discourse, such allegations cut deep. For many ordinary South Africans struggling to put food on the table, the idea of millions being spent on elite family ceremonies feels like an insult.
And yet — in rural parts of KwaZulu-Natal, traditional events hold immense cultural weight. Could the truth be more complicated than it appears?
The Cultural Lens: Reed Dance and Ancestral Ceremonies in Context
To understand the public reaction, one must also understand the cultural importance of the events in question.
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The Reed Dance (uMkhosi woMhlanga) is a centuries-old Zulu tradition celebrating purity, womanhood, and cultural pride.
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Ancestral ceremonies are integral to Zulu identity, serving as a bridge between the living and the spiritual world.
For some supporters, funding such events is part of preserving national heritage. For critics, it’s a slippery slope — where cultural pride becomes a cover for questionable spending.
The Silence of the Accused
Attempts to get comments from Zuma, Mchunu, and other key figures were unsuccessful at the time of Scrolla.Africa’s reporting. This silence has left the public with more speculation than clarity.
A Pattern in South African Politics
History shows that South African politics is no stranger to “patronage networks” — informal systems where loyalty and personal ties influence resource allocation.
Whether the Zuma ceremonies fall neatly into this category or not, the optics are politically damaging.
What Ordinary Citizens Say
When Daily South African Pulse canvassed online opinion, responses ranged from outrage to weary resignation.
“This is why our roads are full of potholes,” one Facebook commenter said.
“We respect our culture — but don’t use it to loot,” another added.
What’s Next?
The political and legal implications of this story will depend on whether formal investigations take place, or whether it remains another anecdote in the country’s long list of corruption tales.
But one thing is clear: in an era of unprecedented political fragmentation, such allegations are potent weapons — both for and against Zuma’s political resurgence.
Engage With Us
Do you think public funds should ever be used for cultural events involving political leaders’ families? Share your thoughts in the comments on our blog.
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