- King Misuzulu kaZwelithini made the announcement on Thursday at the Official Opening of the KZN Legislature ceremony held in Pietermaritzburg.
- King Misuzulu has appointed retired Judge Isaac Madondo and Advocate Thembeka Ngcukaitobi SC to lead the proposed Ingonyama Trust amendment.
King Misuzulu kaZwelithini wants to change how the Ingonyama Trust is run, moving control away from the national government to traditional leaders.
He made the announcement on Thursday at the Official Opening of the KZN Legislature ceremony at Woodburn Rugby Stadium in Pietermaritzburg.
“For too long, the government has been making decisions about land that belongs to Amakhosi. As we speak, Amakhosi have no role to play in the present Ingonyama Trust Board arrangement because the board members are appointed by the Minister,” he said.
The King has appointed retired Judge Isaac Madondo and Advocate Thembeka Ngcukaitobi SC to lead the process of amending the KwaZulu-Natal Ingonyama Trust Act.
The act was first introduced in 1994 by the late Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi and was changed in 1997. The proposed amendment would need Parliament’s approval.
Under the new plan, the King, not the minister, would appoint Trust board members. The KZN Legislature would also oversee funds given to the Ingonyama Trust Board.
King Misuzulu has instructed his Prime Minister, Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi, to lead a delegation of senior royal family members and Amakhosi to meet all 18 political parties in the National Assembly to win their support for the amendment.
“Gone are the days where the government must make decisions on behalf of Amakhosi as if Amakhosi do not have the knowledge, experience and insight to make their own decisions,” the King said.
The King also praised KwaZulu-Natal’s Class of 2025 for the province becoming number one in the country for matric results.
Pictured above: King Misuzulu kaZwelithini arriving at the Official Opening of the KZN Legislature at Woodburn Rugby Stadium in Pietermaritzburg.
Image source: KZN Office of the Premier
