By Akani Nkuna
The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) says Zulu king Misuzulu kaZwelithini was invited to last month’s SADC Summit in Durban, after the monarch complained he had been snubbed and said he had considered sending Zulu regiments to stop the gathering.
“The Ministry confirms that an official invitation was duly extended to His Majesty, who was expected to attend the official banquet and the opening ceremony. To resolve any misunderstanding, the Ministry will engage with the Private Office of the King to establish clarity on the matter,” DIRCO said in a statement late on Sunday.
Misuzulu said over the weekend that he was angered by the government’s decision to host the 46th Southern African Development Community Summit at the Durban International Convention Centre on 17 August without inviting him.
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Misuzulu made the allegation during the first leg of the Zulu Reed Dance at the eMachobeni Royal Palace in Ngwavuma, where young Zulu maidens, members of the royal family and members of the community were gathered to witness the annual event.
“I do not really like the fact that they held a summit in my town, eThekwini [without inviting me]. At some point I thought of sending Zulu regiments from Durban hostels to go and stop the summit. I do not like it; I want it to be abolished (convening meetings without my presence),” Misuzulu said.
He also said that politicians who continued to host events in the province without inviting him could be barred from entering his land. Misuzulu is the sole trustee of the Ingonyama Trust, which holds about 2.8 million hectares of land (about 30%) across KwaZulu-Natal on behalf of traditional communities.
His spokesperson did not respond to requests for comment.
