Zulu monarch King Goodwill Zwelithini says he wants his portraits to be displayed at key public venues like the airport and stadiums during the Soccer World Cup, the Mercury reported on Wednesday.
“I wish to reiterate what I have said to this government in that it would be good to have portraits of the king in public areas such as airports and stadiums.
“It would be good if those portraits could be displayed prior to the commencement of the tournament as this soccer spectacle will attract people from all over the world,” Zwelithini said during the second session of the fourth KwaZulu-Natal legislature in Pietermaritzburg.
He said this would be positive marketing for the province in that when people arrive at the airport they would see the Zulu brand.
He called on Premier Zweli Mkhize to revamp his eNyokeni palace, situated in Northern KwaZulu-Natal.
“In that way the government would not be ashamed of showing our palace to visitors,” Zwelithini said.
He said people in the tourism industry should not dramatically increase prices during the World Cup as the soccer event would help South Africa recover from the recession.
The king said it would not be good for the country if it was seen as a “greedy” host.
Zwelithini also once again called on young men to be circumcised, saying it would minimise, not prevent, the spread of HIV/Aids.
“I am not encouraging people to act irresponsibly just because they are circumcised,” he said. — Sapa