On the last day of his visit to Gauteng Province, we wish to report that His Majesty, King Misuzulu ensured that on top of his agenda was a focus on rural economic development.
The King’s approached was informed by the fact that the long term impact of recession experienced years ago which was followed by the outbreak of COVID-19 resulted in many people losing their jobs and condemned to rural areas and townships with no means of survival.
Flowing from above, the King has started engagements with potential investors and partners with the view of directing them to all corners of the province, especially in rural areas and the townships.
The engagement with the British Higher Commissioner to South Africa Antony Phillipson yesterday has paved the way for more engagements. The focus is to ensure partnerships of mutual benefits between people of Britain and the people of KwaZulu-Natal.
The Commissioner will visit the Zulu Kingdom on a date to be announced to explore partnerships on the following focus areas:
- Investments in education, health and social infrastructure;
- Stimulation of agriculture to ensure food security and creation of jobs;
- Resuscitating of tourism sector;
- Ensuring the entry of indigenous people into key sectors of the economy;
- Exchange Programmes for the development of indigenous people;
- Focus on arts, culture and heritage.
Importantly, the King has also expressed the importance of discussions to ensure the return of colonial-era artifacts that were stolen from Ulundi after the Battle of Isandlwana. For instance, King Cetshwayo’s barbed headed assegai, Zulu war shields, the King’s headdress and other items are displayed at Wales Military Museum.
Returning these will help close a sad chapter, promote-people-to-people contact and harness the cooperation of business in private-public partnerships for nation building.
We recall that in 2017, the people of KwaZulu-Natal bid farewell to Zulu Warriors who attended the 135th King Cetshwayo Celebrations in Cardiff, Wales in the United Kingdom. The Zulu warriors, were accompanied by the cast and the Zulu Royal Choir and participated in the re-enactment of the Battle of Isandlwana.
The participation of the Zulu Warriors in the King Cetshwayo Celebrations in the UK strengthened cultural ties between the people of KwaZulu-Natal and the United Kingdom. Critically, in November 2011, His Majesty, King Goodwill KaBhekuZulu hosted Prince Charles, Prince of Wales and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall.
In welcoming them, His Majesty expressed his appreciation on behalf of the people of KwaZulu-Natal for the continued visits of historians and ordinary people from the UK to the Annual Re-enactment of the Battle of Isandlwana. We hold this event every year in January.
Over the years, it has grown to be more than just a battle re-enactment but a celebration of diversity, and a great contributor of tourism revenue to the this province.
King Misuzulu has expressed his firm support of government’s plans aimed increasing the number of tourists from the UK who attend the commemoration of the battle of Isandlwana.
In 2018, the Zulu Royal Family joined government in welcoming the first direct flight between London – Heathrow and Durban. This direct flight was a result of hard work involving all stakeholders from the province and the United Kingdom.
Notwithstanding challenges faced by the aviation industry following the outbreak of COVID-19, King Misuzulu believes that this route must be resuscitated as it will help to provide travellers – business and leisure – an altogether new level of convenience and a significant reduction in overall travel time, especially busy business travellers.
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Enquires : HRH Prince Africa Zulu Email : zulu.africa@icloud.com