Zulu King Misuzulu kaZwelithini has vowed to fiercely oppose government attempts to seize control of the Ingonyama Trust and liquidate Ithala Bank, two institutions he considers crucial to the Zulu nation’s heritage and identity ¹. Delivering a powerful address during the official opening of the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature, the king emphasized that these institutions fall under his custodianship and are vital to the well-being of the Zulu people.
The Ingonyama Trust, which manages nearly 29% of KwaZulu-Natal’s land, has been at the center of a heated debate over governance, autonomy, and traditional rights. King Misuzulu kaZwelithini has accused the government of attempting to undermine the Trust and the Zulu nation’s sovereignty. He has also criticized Minister of Land Reform and Rural Development Mzwanele Nyhontso for suggesting that he acted beyond his powers by suspending members of the Ingonyama Trust Board.
The king’s stance has sparked a national conversation about the balance between traditional authority and state responsibility. With the future of the Ingonyama Trust and Ithala Bank hanging in the balance, King Misuzulu kaZwelithini remains resolute in his determination to protect the Zulu nation’s heritage and interests. As he emphatically stated, “This land and this nation will not be destroyed under us, and people must stop provoking us” ¹.write keywords
