Plans to construct a new multi-million rands palace for AmaZulu King MisuZulu kaZwelithini, who already receives a substantial budget for his lavish lifestyle, have raised eyebrows in the precarious provincial government of unity in KwaZulu-Natal.
The office of the MEC for cooperative governance and traditional affairs, Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi, has announced that it is working on a plan to build a new abode for King MisuZulu in Ballito.
Buthelezi plans to build the palace close to the wealthy Ballito suburb, which is part of the KwaDukuza local municipality on the province’s north coast.
It is widely believed that the founder of the Zulu nation, King Shaka, had one of his palaces, known as KwaDukuza, in the area.
King Shaka’s grave is also in KwaDukuza, formerly Stanger.
The public has not yet learnt of the exact cost of the new palace; however, it is expected to be in the millions.
Second royal palace
“We will build a place for King MisuZulu KaZwelithini in Ballito. This is where King Shaka resided, and even his grave is there,” Buthelezi, who is also the AmaZulu traditional prime minister, said while addressing a gathering in Dokodweni, northern KZN, recently.
MisuZulu is currently living in the KwaNkomonye Royal Palace, which was a state residence for the late former premier Lionel Mtshali.
In addition to the announcement of the king’s Ballito palace, the construction of a second royal palace for King MisuZulu in Nongoma signifies that the reigning king will now possess two royal residences.
This is in addition to the six palaces in which the widows of his late father, King Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuZulu, reside.
In addition to the king’s upkeep, the provincial government also takes care of the late king’s wives, paying for the princesses’ and princes’ educational needs.
But the DA has raised concern over the spending of public funds on the project.
“The project, which is yet another [unbudgeted] mandate for KZN, is set to place additional pressure on an already severely strained provincial economy,” said Tim Brauteseth, the DA’s provincial spokesperson on finance and a member of the standing committee on public accounts.
Potential to generate revenue
Brauteseth said, given its significance and unique role in KZN, the Zulu monarchy has the potential to generate its own revenue.
“This concept is in step with initiatives envisaged by King Charles III to make the British monarchy sustainable,” he further explained.
He suggested that the Zulu monarchy should follow the example of the British monarchy, which, through a company called Crown Estates, owns all its properties and receives 25% of their net income.
According to Brauteseth, the rest goes to the Treasury, and KZN could replicate this by converting the Ingonyama Trust into a business entity with the primary goal of ensuring the Zulu monarchy’s sustainability.
“The unfortunate reality is that unfunded mandates ultimately take money away from critical service delivery mandate areas such as local government, education, health, and social development,” he added.
Why must the South African public pay for this.Let the Zulu Nation pay for their King by taxing them to support their king if they so wish.
You will pay like it or not,