The rumour mill is ablaze with whispers of a sizzling, behind-the-scenes romance between uMkontho weSizwe (MK) Party spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela and the daughter of former president Jacob Zuma, Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla. But the dashing young political operator is adamantly denying any intimate involvement with his glamorous colleague.
"I'm not dating Duduzile Zuma and we are just close to each other and my relationship with her goes back to our days in Mozambique," Ndhlela said, firmly dismissing the scandalous speculation.
However, sources within the MK Party paint a very different picture, claiming the pair have been quietly carrying on a clandestine love affair for some time now.
"These two are dating and their relationship can be confused by their proximity in the party. To us in the MK, we know their relationship is beyond work and it is clear they are an item," a well-placed insider revealed, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Another source corroborated the steamy allegations, alleging the lovebirds are "keeping their relationship under [the] carpet as they don't want to attract attention from the party, but everyone can see these two are an item."
Ndhlela, who has emerged as one of the rising stars within the MK Party's leadership, vehemently refutes the claims, insisting his bond with Duduzile is purely platonic and rooted in their shared history dating back to the anti-apartheid struggle days.
"They are trying to drive a certain narrative that we are dating. She attends every event with her boyfriend, haven't you seen Dudu's boyfriend? It's clear people want to know. We know each other from as far back to the [19]80s with the Zuma family. So, she's a sister to me including other sisters and brothers," he explained.
The 37-year-old spokesperson's categorical denials, however, have done little to quell the growing speculation, with many speculating the couple may simply be trying to keep their relationship out of the public glare.
Duduzile, who was previously married to Lonwabo Sambudla before their separation in 2017, could not be reached for comment, further fueling the rumors.
As the MK Party celebrates its stunning electoral victory in KwaZulu-Natal, the simmering drama surrounding Ndhlela and Duduzile's alleged romance has provided a juicy side-dish for the political gossip hounds. Only time will tell if the pair can continue to maintain their poker-faced denials, or if the truth eventually comes to light.
