/ MEDIA STATEMENT / The content on this page is not written by Polity.org.za, but is supplied by third parties. This content does not constitute news reporting by Polity.org.za.

This day, 18 August 2022, marked a new chapter in the history of the Zulu Nation and the Zulu Kingdom.

Over many years to come authors, historians, commentators and ordinary members of society  will narrate a story of King Misuzulu kaZwelithini hunting and killing a lion at Mkuze Falls Game Reserve.

We continue to receive congratulatory messages from professional hunters and conservationists about the professional manner in which the Royal Lion hunt was managed by our entity Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife.

The successful royal hunt for the much feared wild animal lion marked the beginning of the most important ritual of entering the sacred  kraal in KwaKhangelamankengane Palace in Nongoma.

In the future, historians will highlight key aspects of this traditional rite -  more specially the fact that the King was required to enter the kraal wearing  the lion’s skin.

Today, we pause to reflect on this important day.

We wish to remind the people of this province about the unity that was on display in this province leading up to the King’s Coronation.

We pray to the God Almighty to grant His Majesty more strength to be the champion of peace and unity of all of us as his people.

This is the message that we delivered on this day last year.  

Our message was underpinned by our understanding that the Zulu Royal family remained a symbol of unity.

In all our interactions with His Majesty, since we assumed office more than 365 days ago , we have been left with an impression of a leader who provides consistent leadership on matters that affects the people of this province.

He has showed, beyond reasonable doubt,  his passionate love for the people.

Over the past weeks, he has hosted dignitaries from different parts of the country, traditional leaders and ordinary members of society in KwaKhangelamankengane Palace, Nongoma.

In all his meetings, people are left with a distinct impression of a tireless campaigner for the creation of wealth for indegenous people.

As we move forward, we need to rekindle the unity that engulfed this province on this day. 

We must unite, across all racial lines and political affiliations behind a common vision of building a prosperous province socially and economically.

We reiterate our commitment to work with the King, the Zulu Royal Family and institution of traditional leadership to promote our rich cultural heritage that we have inherited from the founders of the Zulu Kingdom.

As we stated in the past, this remains a pillar of one of our key economic strengths – tourism.

As we approach September, the Tourism Month, we will work with His Majesty to market the Zulu Kingdom nationally and globally.

We have heeded a call from His Majesty that we need to showcase of our culture and the Zulu Kingdom to the world. 

We also have no doubt that this will attract tourists and investors as the King has emphasized in the past.

We want Umkhosi woMhlanga, the King’s Birthday and Umkhosi WeLembe and all other events scheduled to take place in September to yield remarkable spin-offs for our economy for the benefit of local communities.

Two of our entities, Tourism KZN and KZN Ezemvelo Wildlife will rollout events that will put this province on the national and world map as a destination for tourists and nature lovers.

Issued by the Leader Government Business and MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs Siboniso Duma