King Misuzulu to take up Jozini access fight with government

ZULU King, Misuzulu KaZwelithini, has entered the fray around access to water in the Jozini area, in northern KwaZulu-Natal.

The king says it was worrying that the area did not have water even though it was home to one of the largest dams in the country, Jozini Dam, which is officially called the Pongolapoort (it derives its name from the Pongola River) dam.

The king made an undertaking to take up the issue in Richards Bay yesterday while addressing a business breakfast convened by the Zululand Chamber of Commerce and Industry. He attended along with Water and Sanitation Minister Senzo Mchunu.

In his speech, the king told captains of industry that the unique Zulu culture, which has strong roots along the R66 and in the King Cetshwayo district and which is famous the world over, presents business opportunities.

Equally, the king said it was gratifying to know that KwaZulu-Natal is home to the cities of Richards Bay and Newcastle which are among the fastest growing economies in the country.

The king then touched on the issue of water, saying it was a challenge that was affecting the entire African continent and the world and was an issue that was close to his heart.

“We need (dams). I know there have always been questions about why we are allowing the UThukela river to just flow to the sea (without storing some of its water in dams).

“We have just discussed that with Mchunu,” the king said.

He then lamented the plight of the people of Jozini who continue to bear the brunt of not having clean water.

He said it was worrying that people there did not have access to the dam, yet one man (a farmer) did.

“I know the place of Jozini well. They have water but they don’t have access to it. I know somebody (who I cannot name in public) who has access to the Jozini Dam. You know who I am talking about. He is the only one who has access to the dam and the water. But we are going sit down with the minister and discuss this later on.”

In May, in an interview, Mchunu painted a grim picture of the decades-old water crisis in Umkhanyakude District Municipality, saying that despite millions of rand being spent to resolve the crisis, results were not forthcoming.

Mchunu, who took over the portfolio in August last year, said that his conclusion, after having seven meetings on the matter, was the municipality could not resolve the crisis.

Umkhanyakude District includes municipalities such as Jozini, Umhlabuyalingana, Mtubatuba and Hlabisa-Big Five.