Diwali lights up royal palace
Zulu king puts on fireworks display for Hindu festival
The sights and sounds of Diwali celebrations filtered through the Linduzulu palace in Nongoma, northern KwaZulu-Natal, on Saturday as Zulu monarch King Goodwill Zwelithini hosted the festival of lights for the first time.
The idea came at the suggestion of businessman Ishwar Ramlutchman – a man who, despite a dodgy past, shares a close relationship with the king.
Ramlutchman counts a tribute from late president Nelson Mandela as one of his achievements and is proud to have worked with high-profile politicians such as President Jacob Zuma and IFP leader Mangosuthu Buthelezi.
The Richards Bay businessman was convicted of fraud and corruption for illegally acquiring tenders worth R52million.
He has written a book called A Tribute to the King of the Zulu Nation about Zwelithini’s life, leadership and legacy.
And during this year’s annual Shaka Day commemoration in KwaDukuza on the North Coast, Ramlutchman presented the king with a bronze bust, which was installed at the KwaDukuza Museum.
The controversial 41-yearold, who is also an ANC benefactor, has been seen at Zwelithini’s side for more than a decade, to mark Shaka Day, the annual reed dance and other royal family events. He said he was “mesmerised” by Zwelithini while growing up.
In 2013, Ramlutchman paid a R500 000 fine after he pleaded guilty to defrauding the KwaZulu-Natal public works department using forged tender documents.
His assets, consisting of properties in Ballito and La Lucia, as well as 26 luxury vehicles, were seized by the asset forfeiture unit.
But, his relationship with Zwelithini has blossomed.
Last year, Zwelithini appointed him to one of his military regiments, and he is now known as Prince Ishwar Ramlutchman Mabheka Zulu.
Zwelithini said: “To the hundreds of Zulu regiments, Ishwar is not an Indian but as they call him he is ‘umfowethu’ [brother] or insizwa enye [remarkable young man] which is a great affirmation that he is one of them.”
The king said he saw Ramlutchman as a son. But, at the time there was uproar from some members of the royal family about his new status as the king’s “son” and a “prince”.
Zwelithini said the honour was bestowed because of his efforts at social cohesion, respect for everyone’s cultural heritage and religion.
“I salute His Majesty for celebrating Diwali,” Ramlutchman said. “This is a milestone in the history of the Zulu monarch and our country at large.”