By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Zulu monarch King Misuzulu kaZwelithini has officially addressed the opening of the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) provincial legislature for the first time on Thursday.
In 2022, the Zulu monarch could not address the house, as the succession matter over the Zulu throne was not yet resolved.
However, the then-nominated king did attend the ceremony and was hailed as king by officials, including then-premier Sihle Zikalala, even before President Cyril Ramaphosa recognised him.
But on Thursday, for the first time, as crowned king, he received the official salute from the police and proceeded with addressing the legislature.
Unlike other provinces, it is a norm in KwaZulu-Natal that a reigning king delivers a speech in the provincial legislature a day before the premier delivers the State of the Province Address.
King Misuzulu kaZwelithini has called for an urgent meeting with the government and police to address the killing of traditional leaders in KwaZulu-Natal. He made the call during his address at the official opening of the provincial legislature in Pietermaritzburg.
Recently, Inkosi Sibonelo Aubrey Ngcobo of the KwaNyavu clan on the province’s south coast survived an assassination attempt. However, two of his family members died in the attack.
The provincial department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs says close to 50 traditional leaders have been killed in the last four years.
The Zulu monarch says an urgent escalation of all efforts, especially at the national level is needed. “I also refer with great consternation to the wanton killing of Amakhosi iziNduna and our councillors. As Isilo I am appealing to everyone to honour Ubuntu and kill no one. Killing is inhumane it is barbaric …. We do not need police or courts intervention to adhere to our basic humanity.”
Opposition parties in KwaZulu-Natal have welcomed the message by AmaZulu King Misuzulu KaZwelithini.
He also touched on a number of topical issues affecting the province, most notably, the ongoing killing of traditional leaders. He also spoke on issues of gun violence and the abuse of women and children.
KwaZulu-Natal Premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube will deliver the State of the Province Address on Friday.
Watch Live in the video below:
Video Courtesy of ENCA.