Call for conscious leadership and social accountability

This is an edited version of the speech of Isilo Misuzulu kaZwelithini at the opening of the KZN Legislature on February 23 in Pietermaritzburg.

I START by congratulating the three arms of government in our province for appointing to senior positions three capable women in Judge Poyo-Dlwati as Judge President of the KwaZulu-Natal Division of the High Court, Madam Speaker Boyce, who is the leader of this House, and the first woman Premier, Honourable Dube-Ncube.

As I present my maiden speech to this august House, I wish to pay homage to my father, the late Isilo Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu and Queen Mother, Mntfwanenkosi Mantfombi kaSobhuza, who both passed on in the same year.

All will agree that in the past years we had the blessing of being led by a visionary king. With almost 50 years on the throne, Isilo Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu was both the longest reigning and oldest monarch. During his reign he ensured that the Zulu monarchy was not only an institution for ceremonial occasions, but also an institution of value that contributes to the country’s public service, social cohesion, cultural heritage and economic imperatives.

His long service underlined how tradition serves as a source of unity in society and as a tangible proof of common values, which bind communities together in evolving times. He upheld the timeless values upon which our province and the country are built: tradition, respect, wisdom and deference.

In all times of change, there is apprehension, misunderstanding and hesitation.

Today I wish to recommit to the pledge I made when receiving the recognition certificate from His Excellency the State President Cyril Ramaphosa, wherein I said, in the time God has favoured me, I commit to using the numerical strength of Zulus to develop the country and the economy, and to promoting peace and reconciliation, first among Zulus and among South Africans, Africans and the world.

My vision is that the province of KwaZuluNatal should be a trailblazer in encouraging its inhabitants to collectively work towards maximising the land potential, human capabilities and the fauna and flora of our environment, for the benefit of our localities and South Africa as a whole.

This can be done through synergies, good governance, and a will to eradicate impediments to self-reliance, positive thinking and forward-looking policies.

The work towards achieving the aforementioned has begun. Over the period of seven months since entering the kraal, I consulted widely, as I wanted to ensure that going forward, we present and run an institution not only rooted in tradition, but also capable of existing within an ever-changing world.

An institution that recognises that Zulus don’t come in one form, thus they should not be boxed. An institution that recognises that KwaZulu-Natal is a kaleidoscope of religion, cultures, language and approaches.

The proliferation of guns in South Africa has become widespread. Nearly every day we hear of incidents where people are killed by these guns. Of late these incidents include criminals ambushing people in their homes, using these guns.

The increasing number of illegal firearms in our communities puts the lives of communities at risk. Our province is counted among the provinces with the highest number of killings through guns. People are gunned down in towns, cities, townships, rural areas and even schools.

I also refer with great consternation to the wanton killing of amakhosi, izinduna, and councillors. As isilo, I am appealing to everyone to honour ubuntu and kill no one. Killing is inhuman. It is barbaric. It is cursed.

We do not need police or court interventions to adhere to our basic humanity. Perhaps we have become too materialistic and individualistic. We see the world as a source to please ourselves and deprive others of what should also be shared by them. This is not in line with our indigenous upbringing and prideful values of sharing and extending a helping hand unconditionally.

As I conclude, I would like to acknowledge the good work done by those who have dedicated themselves to serve our country to the best of their abilities.

It is my belief that amid the suffering, poverty, pain of disease, desperation of unemployment, and homelessness, there are known and unknown people who go an extra mile to alleviate these aching experiences for their fellow citizens.

All types of educational enquiries, discoveries and utterances are celebrated because it is believed they enable us to navigate our ways smoothly in our societies.

However, there continues to be unabating hunger and want of employment by able, willing and qualified people.

One wonders what is actually happening. Is there any inclusiveness? Are all these academic, technological, electronic and industrial revolution phenomena improving the fate of the poorest of the poor or simply ignoring them?

Lastly, I call for conscious leadership and social accountability, starting with ubukhosi. Leaders in government, business, clergy and ubukhosi must set an example of practising integrity, justice, inclusivity, empathy, diligence, and morality.

I implore everyone, at whatever level they may be serving, to religiously follow the dictates of practices and principles of conscience leadership.

I am looking forward to working with this august House in improving the lives of all our people.