DA Federal leader Geordin Hill-Lewis and his national and provincial leadership visited King Misuzulu kaZwelithini on Tuesday.
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The DA’s Federal leader, Geordin Hill-Lewis has urged king Misuzulu kaZwelithini and his Zulu nation to help shape and build a prosperous South Africa.
Accompanied by the national and KwaZulu-Natal provincial leadership, Hill-Lewis visited the king at his Mashobeni royal palace in Pongola on Tuesday. In a statement he issued after meeting with the king, Hill-Lewis described his encounter as an honour and urged the king and his his nation to help build a prosperous country. He described the Zulu nation as one of the great cultural communities in the country, in Africa and the world.
“The story of the Zulu Nation is one of pride, courage and deep history. For generations, Zulu culture, language and customs have given millions of people a deep sense of identity and belonging. That heritage is something to be celebrated and protected.
"Our message to the Zulu Nation is that the greatest tribute we can pay to the generations who came before us is not only to preserve their legacy, but to build a future of prosperity, work and safety for all,” read the statement.
Hill-Lewis assured the king that a DA-led national government would deeply respect this legacy and heritage, and work to build a future of greater prosperity for all in the Zulu nation, and in South Africa.
"A future in which young people can find work, families can live in safety, children can receive a quality education, and communities can prosper. It is also one where citizens are able to rest in comfort that the land they reside on, can be a productive asset, used to leverage finance as a means to improve their lives.
“Culture gives us our roots. Good government gives us the opportunity to flourish. Together, we can help build a country that works for all its people,” said Hill-Lewis
He stated that he was looking forward to strengthening the bonds of mutual respect and working together for a better future for all South Africans.
He further assured the king that he will continue engaging with leaders and communities across South Africa as part of the DA’s work to build a country that works for everyone.
He said his engagements are about listening, building trust, and finding common ground around the things that matter most to people: jobs, safety, dignity, service delivery and opportunity.
He also assured the king that his party respects the institution of traditional leadership, and believes that all legitimate institutions in society have a role to play in advancing development, strengthening communities and building a shared future.
“We can build one South Africa that honours who we are and delivers what people need. That is the country I am working to build,” concludes Hill-Lewis.
His call to the king and the Zulu nation comes amid the growing calls for the king to speak out about ongoing protests against illegal immigration.