Zulu king should lead by example
THE front-page report on the province’s budgetary woes as a result of the contraction of the economy (The Mercury, yesterday) is significant for its omission of an item which contradicts the downward trend.
The item concerns the budget for King Goodwill Zwelithini’s household.
Despite the anticipated contraction of 8.5% in KZN’s GDP, despite the prospect of unemployment surging to 40%, the budget for the king has been increased from R66.7 million to R72m, an increase of 8% which is twice the rate of inflation. It is unacceptable for KZN Premier Sihle Zikalala to fob this off as worthwhile because of the cultural role of the king. The king should be leading by example in accepting a cut in his budget.
Once again we are reminded of the veracity of George Orwell’s observation that some are more equal than others.
DUNCAN DU BOIS | Bluff