ANC KwaZulu-Natal chairperson, Siboniso Duma, has apologised to Zulu king Misuzulu kaZwelithini over the incident in KwaCeza early this year in which the snatched microphone from Traditional Minister Thulasizwe Buthelezi.
In that event the traditional prime minister, who was on the verge of introducing the king, commented over the remarks that had reportedly been made by ANC KZN secretary Bheki Mtolo, prompting Transport and Human Settlements MEC Duma to get up from his seat and snatch the microphone from Buthelezi, who he accused of spoiling the ceremony.
The incident which happened in the presence of senior government officials and traditional leaders, including Amabutho (warriors) caused a stir in traditional circles, with some accusing Duma who was then Economic Development MEC and Leader of Government Business, of ridiculing Zulu protocol.
Buthelezi, an Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) leader – who was then Zululand District mayor – has since become Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC following the IFP’s win in the provincial elections in May this year.
Duma and Buthelezi were now colleagues as members of the Executive Council under the leadership of Premier Thami Ntuli.
The MEC visited the king at his palace in Phongolo this week where he apologised.
On Friday, the MEC expressed relief that the differences had since been ironed out and the matter had been resolved . “Following our successful meeting with His Majesty, I am personally relieved that the matter of KwaCeza, which created tension and divided society, has now been finally relegated to the dustbin of history,” said the MEC.
Duma noted how poor road conditions in rural areas were the main reasons communities remain isolated and trapped under the yoke of underdevelopment and poverty. He committed his department and the government to do things differently.
Some of the commitments made by the MEC include:
* Ensuring that the road infrastructure is properly inspected ahead of Reed Dance to ensure the safety of maidens and members of the public;
* Working closely with the Ingonyama Trust and Amakhosi to ensure that communities benefit from mining operations for the extraction of a range of mineral products, including lime, slate, titanium, granite, and sand and stone quarries for construction materials;
* Promoting efficient and transparent resource allocation towards construction, rehabilitation, and maintenance of roads in deep rural areas;
* Fostering a sense of community ownership of road construction projects by ensuring transparency and ensuring open participation by communities.
* Improving roads in Zululand District Municipality and Inhlalankosi in a bid to attract investors, tourists and improve the quality of life of citizens. Numerous leaders in the provincial government have in the past spoken about using the strong traditional ceremonies in northern KZN, especially in Zulu palaces to attract business.
According to the MEC, freedom belongs to the ordinary people of KZN and they should taste its fruits through accelerated service delivery, without any sideshows that create tension and division in society.