ANC accuses IFP of disrespecting Zulu royals

THE ANC in Musa Dladla Region has accused the IFP of disrespecting the Zulu Royal family following the proposed name change of the King Cetshwayo District Municipality to Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi.

The ANC Musa Dladla Regional spokesperson, Nomnotho Lembede said they view this as disrespectful to the royal family and traditional leadership.

“To us, this undermines the late King Cetshwayo, and the significant role played by the late King Goodwill Zwelithini during the renaming of uThungulu District Municipality to King Cetshwayo District,” she said.

However, the King Cetshwayo District Municipality Communications Manager, Thami Shangase refutes the claim.

Shangase said the full council meeting held last year was not to rename the King Cetshwayo District Municipality, “...but to re-instate or rename the King Cetshwayo House to Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi, as it was before. King Cetshwayo District would remain the same, that was the council resolution taken during the full council meeting.”

But Lembede claims that the IFP has started to show its true colours:

“They have portrayed themselves as people advocating the recognition and respect of Amakhosi and the Zulu royal family, but now they have changed their mind as they prioritise their leader who is the Traditional Prime Minister to the Zulu nation over monarchy and the Zulu nation,” she said.

She added that, under the leadership of the ANC in Musa Dladla, they renamed uThungulu District Municipality after King Cetshwayo, as well as the NPA hospital to Queen Nandi Regional Hospital.

They initially wanted to rename uThungulu House to Nelson Mandela House, but their leaders decided on King Cetshwayo House.

“These decisions to prioritise Zulu monarchy and Amakhosi were taken at the Musa Dladla Regional Conference. The proposal to rename the Uthungulu District to King Cetshwayo was discussed with the late King Goodwill Zwelithini at the Linduzulu Palace in Nongoma,” said Lembede.

“The district municipality delegations were excited when King Goodwill accepted their proposal. The late king officially unveiled the statue of King Cetshwayo that is placed at the doorsteps of our district municipality.

“The IFP failed even to invite members of the community to air their views concerning the proposed name change. This is a clear indication that the IFP is selfish,” she said.

Lembede revealed initially they wanted to rename uThungulu house to Nelson Mandela House, but their leaders realised that the suitable name was King Cetshwayo House.

The IFP national spokesperson Mkhuleko Hlengwa said he cannot comment on this matter as it was a municipal project.