Moves towards a financially independent royal household

KWAZULU-NATAL Premier Sihle Zikalala said the government would enlist a consultant to conduct a feasibility study on how to make the Zulu Royal Household financially independent.

Presenting his office’s R767.5 million budget for the 2022/23 financial year at the KZN Legislature, Zikalala yesterday said it was important for the household to become self-sustainable.

“One of the most important projects is the support to the Zulu Royal Household Trust (ZRHT) as we explore revenue generation strategies with a view to supporting greater financial independence in the near future. As such, the ZRHT is in the process of appointing a service provider to conduct a feasibility study to identify viable farming options that the entity should focus on,” Zikalala said.

The call for the royal household to be financially independent has been a consistent one, in and outside government for several years. Many people have pointed out that the royal household has assets which, if properly utilised, could make it financially sustainable.

The premier also committed his administration to providing support to King Misuzulu ka Zwelithini to enable the monarch to carry out a host of activities associated with the royal household. The support would come in the form of a R67.3m allocation for the 2022/23 financial year, which would enable the king to host annual traditional and cultural events to preserve Zulu culture. Some of the events to be presided over by the king include:

The opening of the Provincial House of Traditional Leaders.

The King Dinuzulu Prayer Day. The Royal Reed Dance.

The First Fruits ceremony (Umkhosi Woselwa).

Amaganu ceremonies (Umkhosi weSivivane).

The premier added that his office was forging ahead with major maintenance projects that include the erection of new security fences, and providing adequate security at all royal palaces.

Responding to the budget, IFP president Velenkosini Hlabisa said his party believed that giving support to the royal household was an important function of the provincial government.

“Renovations in the royal palaces must be given priority, as we know that even the late king lamented the shoddy work performed by the government through the provincial and national departments of Arts and Culture in the alleged upgrading of Enyokeni royal residence,” Hlabisa said.

He said that traditional leadership in KZN also needed to be accorded dignity and support in order for it to effectively support the king.

DA provincial legislature leader Zwakele Mncwango criticised Zikalala over the government’s failure to make the royal household financially independent.

“A look at KZN’s Royal House Trust reports during the past five years shows that while the premier always talks about a revenue strategy, there is still no such thing to date. The premier has failed to ensure that this entity fulfils its commitment to ensuring that KZN’s monarchy is financially sustainable,” he said.

“The time has come for the royal household to be financially independent and for the new king to get government funding without any undue conditions set.”