Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini has announced a surprise partnership with minority representatives AfriForum, reportedly due to their mutual hatred for land expropriation without compensation, reports eNCA. In the name of food security and opposing land expropriation, the Zulu monarch has joined forces with an unlikely ally.
The cooperation was also reported to be in line with ensuring food security and promote agriculture for South Africa.
King Zwelithini announced the developments at the UMkhosi weLembe, or King Shaka Day, celebrations. Expressing the woes of food shortages in the country, the king invited talks with AfriForum and farmers, who he said have approached him and are willing to work with him to uplift agricultural practices in the country.
He also said that once the government started talking about land expropriation, “Boers downed tools,” which means that there will be no food, he explained.
King Zwelithini is still reportedly waiting to discuss land falling under the Ingonyama Trust with President Cyril Ramaphosa, which holds land for the benefit and material welfare of the people. The king wants his territories to be exempt from land reform. The trust owns about 29.67% of mostly deep rural land in KwaZulu-Natal, which covers an area of 94,361 km². While Zwelithini is the sole trustee of the land, it is divided according to clans and overseen by traditional leaders.
He also emphasised that he does not benefit financially from the trust. Speculation is rife that the Zulu monarch is using the issue of land expropriation to influence upcoming election outcomes and to send a clear message to the government of his disapproval of land reform in the country.
Source: The Citizen
