The African National Congress in KwaZulu Natal (KZN) says it supports a motion to have the late Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini KaBhekuzulu statue to be erected at the provincial legislature. ANC chairperson and MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs Siboniso Duma tabled the motion during the legislature sitting on Wednesday.
ANC SUPPORTING THE MOTION
King Zwelithini passed away in March 2021 at a hospital where he was being treated for a diabetic-related issue at the age of 72. Zwelithini who was the leader of South Africa's largest ethnic group, sat on the throne for more than 50 years. He was succeeded by his son King Misuzulu KaZwelithini who was crowned in August last year. The ANC in KZN yesterday announced that they support the motion. "As the people throughout the continent celebrate Africa Day, the ANC in KZN supports the motion proposed by Duma. The motion marked the beginning of a very progressive process towards the erection of a statue of the departed King Goodwill Zwelithini KaBhekuzulu," said ANC Provincial Secretary Bheki Mtolo. He further said that the statue will be located in the KZN Legislature which is based in Pietermaritzburg and will be higher than the life-size statues of British monarch Queen Victoria and Sir Theophilus Shepstone. In late 2021, the Department of Sports, Arts, and Culture announced plans to remove the colonial statues at the legislature and replace them with that of the late King Zwelithini.
The life-sized statues of British monarch Queen Victoria and Sir Theophilus Shepstone could be removed to make way for one of the late Zulu King Zwelithini KaBhekuzulu. But the plans to relocate them were put on hold as the department said that they will wait for the royal family to resolve the dispute over the throne. Former Arts and Culture MEC Hlengiwe Mavimbela announced the plan to relocate Queen Victoria and Shepstone statues in her budget speech.
PROGRESSIVE NATURE
Mtolo said Zwelithini was a firm believer in the progressive nature and character of the institution of traditional leadership. "On this day, we affirm our commitment to harness this institution to ensure that it contributes immensely towards socio-economic prosperity throughout the corners of this province," Mtolo said. "As the ANC we reiterate the importance of a healthy synergistic relationship between traditional leaders and elected public representatives in order to achieve sustainable service delivery in areas under amakhosi," Mtolo added. He further said that the ANC in the province regarded the erection of a statue as a progressive move aimed at preserving and promoting the legacy of UMdlokombane. "We recognise his role as our father. He was a symbol of peace and unity of the people. We recall that His Majesty hosted guests of international note giving the world a taste of our rich heritage and a glimpse into our history," he added. The motion to erect Zwelithini's statue comes as things are said to be intense at the Zulu Royal House with reports of the Zulu Monarch's longest-serving Traditional Prime Minister Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi and King Misuzulu KaZwelithini allegedly not getting along.
Buthelezi is expected to hold an imbizo today in Empangeni with amakhosi to address issues regarding the Zulu Kingdom and Ingonyama Trust.
