King Misuzulu’s top six priorities
DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA – Newly-crowned King of the Zulu nation, King Misuzulu kaZwelithini yesterday placed six priority areas for his leadership.
Speaking at Moses Mabhida Stadium during his coronation, the king committed to the following; promoting peace and reconciliation; to practice wise and progressive leadership; and to be a catalyst for change and development in not only South Africa but the continent.
He also pledged to ensure that Zulu culture and heritage are well preserved and protected; to collaborate with the executive and Legislature for effective service delivery; and to endorse as well as promote the concept of the Ingonyama Trust.
The king, who was officially handed the certificate of the Throne by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, described the seat as a covenant between the departed, the living and those who are yet to be born.
HOPE FOR THE FUTURE
“On the shoulders of a crown head, lies hopes, prayers of the living and, more importantly, those who are yet to be born in our nation. Today, I am addressing you and the world as the one who rests on the shoulders of hope for the future of the Zulu for their place in and under the sun.
“I understand that history has chosen me at this time when the Zulu and other nations are facing several challenges. Among the challenges are poverty, unemployment, a trust deficit in government and traditional leadership structures. Climate change, disasters, economic meltdown, food insecurity, famine, disease, that do not only ravage our people but also our economies,” he said.
Having mentioned all the above challenges, King Misuzulu said he also understood that the hand of history had chosen him at this time when conditions were ripe for the forging of relationships among other nations and communities to face these challenges.
He said fate had decreed that he be king over the biggest nation is South Africa and that this raised questions on how the people valued the monarchy.
“In the time that God has favoured me with, I commit, using numerical strength of the Zulus to develop the country and the economy. And promoting peace and reconciliation; first among the Zulus and also among South Africans, Africans and the rest of the world.”
He promised to ensure that the Zulu culture and heritage were protected within the framework of the country and its constitution.
FULL SUPPORT
“Upon my entrance into the crown on the 20th August, 2022, I promised to work for you. I uttered those words with confidence knowing that I have full support and that this journey I walk not alone, but I walk it with you and the rest of the world.
“It is my daily prayer that I be a catalyst in the development of the Zulu, South Africa and the whole of united Africa. I believe that this will be possible if we walk together in our time,” said the king.
King Misuzulu went on to praise the role played by his father, King Zwelithini, whom he described as a visionary king, with almost 50 years on the Throne, becoming both the longest and eldest monarch in their history.
He said during his reign, King Zwelithini ensured that the Zulu people and the monarchy, was not only an institution for ceremonial occasions, but an institution of value contribution to the country’s public service, social cohesion, cultural heritage and economic imperativeness.
“His service underlined how tradition serves as a source of unity in a society as tangible proof of common values which bind communities together in our evolving times.”
“My father upheld the timeless values upon which our province and the country are built on, which are; tradition, respect, wisdom and knowing each other’s differences,” he recalled.
To President Ramaphosa, he offered words of encouragement.
“I know the last few months have been a challenge also to yourself. but mine to you is keep soldiering on and keep moving forward with the Zulu people as you have done in the past with the late king and now with myself,” he urged.
The king then spoke of his commitment to the Ingonyama Trust, which is spearheading development programmes in rural communities.
ACTIVE PARTICIPATION
“This will not happen without the active participation of rural communities. I endorse the concept of Ingonyama Trust Rural Development Forum, an initiative started by the late monarch, and supported by the African Union and the KwaZulu-Natal government,” he assured.
He further pledged cooperation among the monarchy, executive and Legislature of the province, which he said was of paramount importance. “As the head of ubukhosi and monarch of the province, I commit myself to ensure that ubukhosi, while autonomous, collaborates with the executive and Legislature on the development and benefit of the people.
“I encourage the politicians to work diligently and honestly. You must be aware that you are the reflection on our democracy, which is tarnished when misbehaved, as seen in the trust deficit on politicians of our government,” he told the gathering.
The King thanked the people for the prayers and support as well as ensuring that there was no bloodshed during the transition.