Mandla J Radebe writes that celebrity journalists emerged in the coverage of the funerals of King Goodwill Zwelithini and Queen regent Mantfombi, and a blind eye was turned to the social ills affecting the people of Nongoma.
R66m for Zulu royal family from KZN budget 14 May 2021 - 15:55 KwaZulu-Natal premier Sihle Zikalala meets King Misuzulu KaZwelithini for the first time since his ascendance to the Zulu royal throne was announced. Image: Supplied
The Zulu royal household has been allocated a budget of R66.1m R5m less than last year, KwaZulu-Natal premier Sihle Zikalala announced on Thursday.
“This budget is allocated for activities which include, among other things, the hosting of annual traditional and cultural events to preserve Zulu culture and the hosting of heritage events such as the King’s coronation day and prayer day events,” said Zikalala.
Zulu royal household budget slashed by R5 million
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THE Zulu royal householdâs annual allocation from the KwaZulu-Natal government has been slashed by R5 million after Premier Sihle Zikalala allocated R66 million to new AmaZulu King Misuzulu Zulu KaZwelithini and his family for the 2021/22 financial year.
Zikalala announced the amount, which is R5m less than last yearâs allocation of R71m, during the tabling of his R802.2m Premierâs Office budget vote for the current fiscal year.
The allocation of the funds follows a turbulent couple of months for the Zulu royal family after the death of King Goodwill Zwelithini KaBhekuzulu in March and then the unexpected passing of his wife Queen Mantfombi Dlamini in April.
Chaos at royal palace as Prince Misuzulu Zulu named new Zulu king 07 May 2021 - 19:16 Prince Misuzulu, the eldest son of the late Queen Shiyiwe Mantfombi Dlamini Zulu, has been named as the new Zulu King. Image: Sandile Ndlovu
Prince Misuzulu Zulu has been named as the new Zulu king.
But proceedings at the KwaKhangelamankengane Royal Palace, where Queen Mantfombi s will was read out, quickly descended into chaos on Friday night.
In her will, the late regent of the Zulu kingdom Queen Mantfombi Dlamini bequeathed the monarchy to her first son.
This means Prince Misuzulu will be installed as the next king of the Zulus.
KZN Government
The Zulu royal family is due to meet on Friday afternoon to discuss the will of the regent of the Zulu nation, Mantfombi Dlamini Zulu, who died last week.
Addressing mourners during a memorial service for the Queen at the KwaKhangela Palace in Nongoma on Friday afternoon, Zulu nation Prime Minister Mangosuthu Buthelezi, said the Queen s lawyer will read the present will on Friday.
“He is on his way to the palace and all members of the royal family should attend the meeting,” he said.
Queen Dlamini Zulu, who was appointed the Zulu nations interim leader on March 24 shortly after the King Goodwill Zwelithini Kabhekuzulu died, was tasked prior to her death with announcing the new King.