Bryce Mthimkhulu, the self-proclaimed Isilo SamaHlubi (AmaHlubi king) has been bestowed with eminent peace ambassador by the International Association of World Peace Advocates affiliated to the UN.
King Mthimkhulu III, as he is commonly referred to by his subjects, was honoured for his role in promoting peace and sustainable development goals.
The global goals is a collection of 17 interlinked objectives designed to serve as a shared blue print for peace and prosperity among 193 UN member states.
The glittering ceremony, held at Mthimkhulu’s royal palace of eMahlutshini in eShowe in KwaZulu-Natal on Sunday evening, was attended by high-level international guests, ambassadors and business people.
Among the dignitaries who attended the ceremony were PhumuzuZulu, AmaZulu late king’s son whose name was once linked to the contentious AmaZulu throne and United Democratic Movement leader Bantu Holomisa.
“We have been observing your philanthropic work for years and we are satisfied that you meet all the criteria to be bestowed with this global citizen award,” said Anthony Chinedum, director of the international civil movement.
“Your role in this new responsibility also entails representing South Africa in various forums of the peace advocates.”
Mthimkhulu, who claims to be a direct descendant of King Mthimkhulu II, also known as Ngwadlazibomvu who ruled between 1800-1818, has a partnership with various academic institutions abroad.
The programme includes taking local youth to be trained in various fields such as community health, water science and agriculture.
Recently, 10 underprivileged youth travelled to Israel for skills training in water desalination which involves removing salt from sea water to make it drinkable.
Mthimkhulu told Sunday World: “For me, leadership is not only my birth right, but a calling. I’m humbled to receive this highest order which I did not expect. I finance all the work I do for my community and young people.”
In 2014, Mthimkhulu launched a court bid to claim billions of rands from the British government which he said was a compensation for the destruction of Amahlubi kingdom by the colonial forces.
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