King Misuzulu: Zulus must maintain historic ties with neighbouring nations

King Misuzulu kaZwelithini has called for the strengthening of relations between the Zulu nation and other nations.

The king stated that the Zulu had historic relations with other nations that went as far as KwaBulawayo in Zimbabwe. He was addressing hundreds of people attending the Isandlwana battle commemoration in Isandlwana yesterday.

In a speech that was mixed in tone on the subject, the king indicated that the relationship between South Africans and foreign nationals is complicated. Not only do Zulu people have ties to people outside the country that date back hundreds of years, but South Africans have also had children with foreign nationals.

The king spoke on the issue amid rising tensions between locals and foreign nationals. In recent days, there have been clashes between local and foreign nationals over the placement of children at the Addington Primary School, with tensions intensifying this week.

The tensions have been exacerbated by rude remarks attributed to foreign nationals, which have left locals, especially in KwaZulu-Natal, feeling disrespected. The king stated that there should be dialogue on the matter, recalling that his father, the late King Zwelithini faced similar challenges. He added that he too is now facing the issue of the presence of illegal immigrants.

“I am pleased we are meeting here in Isandlwana, so we can see and discuss things. This challenge is not new; the problem is old. I promise you that no one will touch KwaZulu. I promise you, there will be no war here. We will talk to those who are illegal to go back home; everyone has a home,” said the King.

He went on to state that the relations between locals and foreign nationals are complex. “We need to build relationships with other nations and not fight. There are Zulus in Zimbabwe; do not forget that.”

KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli also called for an end to the scenes of confrontation between South Africans and foreign nationals, as witnessed outside the Addington Primary School this week.

“In all the challenges we are facing as a nation, we should respect His Majesty at all times. When we address those challenges, we should not witness what we saw unfolding in Durban, where there is confrontation between locals and foreign nationals.

“We should find a way to ensure that there is no black-on-black violence. We also promise His Majesty that if there are people here illegally, that will be addressed through the help of the police to deport those here illegally,” he added.

Ntuli stated that what happened there was unfortunate, and his office had taken a decision to arrange a roundtable with the interest groups to look at what is happening and what the government intends to do.

“You know that there is a programme to address illegal immigration. We are all in agreement that we have a challenge with illegal foreign nationals. It is a subject that we are worrying about.

“The way we address it should ensure that stability in the province is maintained. I am requesting everyone who is in an interest group on the subject to ensure that the way they express frustration about the subject ensures there is calm and stability,” he added, emphasising that the actions should not undermine investor confidence and job growth.

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