Prince Buthelezi wraps up Africa Month
THE Zulu nation must work against fragmentation, conflict and a loss of identity.
This was the sentiment of Traditional Prime Minister of the Zulu monarch and nation, Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi as he delivered his keynote address at a conference to wrap up Africa Month.
Hosted by Indonsa Yesizwe, a civil society think tank, in partnership with the Heritage Development Trust and other stakeholders, the one-day conference held at the Empangeni Civic Centre on Tuesday was combined with a prayer for the Zulu Kingdom and kingship.
The conference emphasised and encouraged the Zulu nation to be proud of who they are, and called for a decolonised education system that will produce graduates who are ready to create employment in the manufacturing and agriculture sectors.
Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi thanked the conference and prayer organisers, saying the late Pixley ka Isaka Seme had envisioned a fully liberated African continent.
‘As we meet today, as Indonsa Yesizwe to pray for the regeneration of Africa and the strength of the Zulu Kingdom, let us return to the wellspring of that regeneration and listen to the words of Dr Seme,’ said Buthelezi.
‘Our struggle as the Zulu nation was against fragmentation, conflict, and a loss of identity. As we look today at the history of that struggle, I suspect we will recognise that even now, in our present context, there is a need to work against fragmentation, conflict, and a loss of identity,’ he said.
Showing appreciation from the Zulu Royal House, Prince Thulani Zulu said the initiative by Indonsa Yesiwe to convene a prayer and conduct a symposium about the Zulu monarch was the reviving of who they are.
‘As academics, Indonsa took it upon themselves to stand up and educate Zulus because in the absence of elders they are the ones we trust as they preserve history,’ said Zulu.
Also in attendance were King Cetshwayo District Mayor Thami Ntuli, uMhlathuze Mayor Xolani Ngwezi, uMfolozi Mayor Xolani Bhengu, and Nkandla Mayor Mbhekiseni Biyela.