Former South African president Jacob Zuma has returned to the political campaign trail, making his first public appearance since being hospitalised last month.
Zuma addressed supporters of his uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party at a rally in Durban on Sunday, just days ahead of Wednesday's municipal elections.
The 84-year-old was reportedly admitted to a hospital in Pietermaritzburg on October 7. At the time, the MK Party described his hospitalisation as a routine medical visit, while President Cyril Ramaphosa wished him a speedy recovery.
Zuma had not made any public appearances since his hospitalisation and did not provide further details about his health during Sunday's address.
Opening his 45-minute speech, Zuma told supporters: "Thank you, I am back."
He also urged supporters to help the party strengthen its position in KwaZulu-Natal, where it enjoys significant support.
"We are going to start by taking back our country here," he said.
The MK Party is hoping for a strong showing in KwaZulu-Natal, Zuma's political stronghold, with several opinion polls placing its support in the province close to 50%.
Party supporters also welcomed his return to the campaign trail.
MK Party local government candidate Derick Mkhize told AFP that he had been concerned after hearing reports of Zuma's ill health.
He said seeing the former president back in public had given him renewed strength.
Zuma served as South Africa's president from 2009 to 2018 but was forced to resign following mounting pressure from within the ANC amid numerous corruption scandals.
Despite his departure from office, he has remained an influential figure in South African politics.
His MK Party, which was established just months before the 2024 general elections, has since grown into the country's third-largest political party.