Durban — In a move that could pit the royal family against the provincial government, King Misuzulu kaZwelithini has called for the protection of foreign nationals.
Delivering his keynote address at the province’s Heritage Day (also known as Shaka’s Day) ceremony at KwaDukuza, on the North Coast of KwaZulu-Natal on Tuesday, the king defended the presence of foreign nationals in the country, calling on his subjects not to attack them but rather embrace their presence.
However, the king condemned the illegal activities associated with foreign nationals, especially in urban areas. The king also called for the preservation of diverse cultures and heritage.
“We must embrace foreign nationals that are among us. Don’t beat them, instead bring them to the palace to come and worship your king,” he said.
His call came amid the provincial government’s concerted effort to rid the province of undocumented foreign nationals. Led by Premier Thami Ntuli and provincial police commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, police recently raided several buildings in Durban’s South Beach and arrested several foreign nationals after they were found to be in the country without permits.
During the election campaign, the IFP had promised to drive out illegal foreigners, vowing to also target those owning spaza shops in townships to return the township economy to the locals.
The king could also be unpopular among people who have been complaining about the presence of undocumented foreigners and their behaviour.
Introducing the king, his traditional prime minister Thulasizwe Buthelezi said King Shaka kaSenzangakhona had a dream of building a nation that would surpass all other nations, in terms of military strength, economic power and cultural supremacy.
He said with unmatched tenacity, King Shaka translated his vision into action and united all the clans within present-day Kwazulu-Natal into one unified Zulu empire with one King.
The traditional minister also commended the successive Zulu kings, particularly King Cetshwayo, who in December 1878 defied Sir Bartle Frere who had issued an ultimatum to him to disband his army. Buthelezi said instead King Cetshwayo chose to stand with his people and defend the land of the Zulus, and in doing so inflicted the greatest defeat against the British at Isandlwana the following year.
“Today, as we pause to remember the unifying spirit of our founder, let us unite around our king and listen to his wisdom as he speaks because our king is still the defender of our land just as his forefathers defended the land,” said Buthelezi.
He also commended King Misuzulu for assuming his role as chairperson of the Ingonyama Trust to safeguard the land of the Zulu nation against political and economic vultures.
Speaking earlier, acting Premier Thembeni kaMadlopha-Mthethwa assured the king that the government of provincial unity was intact and here to stay, despite doomsayers predicting it would not last.
He hailed King Shaka’s bravery, saying experts had likened it to that of France’s Napoleon Bonaparte. The acting premier also assured the king of a good matric pass rate, saying the province did well last year, obtaining 86% and was hoping to improve this year
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