By Sihle Mavuso
Zulu King Misuzulu kaZwelithini has called for calm and stability as South Africa faces mounting anxiety over anti-immigration tensions, while hosting a DA delegation at eMashobeni Zulu royal palace in Pongola on Tuesday.
The king did not specify the source of the turmoil, but his remarks were understood to refer to the ongoing anti-illegal immigration protests in parts of the country, which have heightened tensions ahead of the local government elections, scheduled for 4 November.
He made the comments during a meeting with DA leaders led by the party’s national leader, Geordin Hill-Lewis.
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“I know that it is a difficult time for everyone, people are worried, people are confused, but I would like to ask, especially now that the DA is here, the DA leadership, let us ask for calm so that we campaign properly,” Misuzulu said.
“We are going to the elections, we need peace and stability in the country and we [must] support our president in whatever that he does.”
He added that he liked the new faces he was seeing in the DA and that this gave him confidence as a fairly young king.
The remarks came as anti-immigration protests and threats of further action have placed pressure on the government, with President Cyril Ramaphosa having called for lawful responses to immigration concerns and warned against vigilantism.
During the visit, Misuzulu also appeared to praise DA federal chairperson Solly Msimang, saying he had watched him closely and believed Gauteng would be in good hands under his leadership, if he was ever premier.
“You know, they are a truly democratic party. I saw Mr Msimang every step, please people give him a round of applause, I think he will be very good for Gauteng. I don’t want to go into politics or … you will think, ‘Oh, the king is supporting the DA. I support everyone as long as my people get service delivery,” he said, drawing a rousing applause from the DA’s delegation.
Said Hill-Lewis: “We met with the king… to discuss a few things, to say that the DA deeply respects the royal house and the Zulu nation and that even when we are the largest party in South Africa we will continue that relationship of respect and honour.
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“We understand that is a deeply significant cultural institution that means a great deal to many millions of South Africans and we conveyed to His Majesty is that the best way to honour this and the Zulu nation and all of its people is to build a government that works for everyone, that delivers services, that delivers safety, that delivers work opportunities and a growing economy,” he said.
Hill-Lewis said the DA had also discussed the local government elections with the king and informed him that the party would campaign in his territory.
“We will be in every town and village.”
Other political parties, including the IFP, ANC, EFF and ActionSA, have also visited the king in the past.
