Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini on Saturday demanded compensation from Britain and other countries that invaded the Zulu nation in the past, saying this would help alleviate poverty in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa’s majority Zulu province.
Speaking at the commemoration of the battle of Isandlwana 125 years ago, when Zulu warriors inflicted the worst defeat on British colonial forces on African soil, Zwelithini said KwaZulu-Natal is crippled by poverty and Aids.
”We want these nations that have invaded us to pay compensation, like they did in other countries,” Zwelithini said to rapturous applause. ”We want to see it happen in this province,” he added but did not elaborate.
British forces invaded the erstwhile Zululand on January 11, 1879 and subsequently captured then Zulu King Cetshwayo in August of that year, ending a bloody seven-month war.
Cetshwayo was exiled and Zululand was broken up and eventually annexed, and today remains part of KwaZulu-Natal.
At the same event, Zulu member of parliament and national Home Affairs Minister Mangosuthu Buthelezi, said a commitment given by the African National Congress (ANC)-led government to officially recognise the Zulu king and kingdom in South Africa’s constitution had not been honoured.
”Since then (the adoption of the constitution), nothing has been done about the position of the king and the institution of the monarchy within a free South Africa,” said Buthelezi, who heads the Zulu-dominated Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP).
He said that after 10 years of democracy following the end of white minority racist rule, the king still could not take his rightful place in the nation.
”The same 10 years have an unfortunate record of broken promises and breaches of trust as far as the recognition of our king and our kingdom are concerned,” he said.
But Buthelezi emphasised that national elections, due to be held later this year, would be fought at the ballot box and not on the streets.
In past years, especially before South Africa’s first democratic elections in 1994, political activity in KwaZulu-Natal was marred by bloodshed, mainly in clashes between supporters of the IFP and ANC.
”I have always maintained for peaceful elections,” he said.
”Use the ballot box rather than bullets to achieve your objective. The ANC has a right to contest this province — that’s what elections are all about,” he added. ‒ Sapa-AFP