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By Celani Sikhakhane
- King Misuzulu kaZwelithini made the call in February at the Amarula festival, asking industries to study the tree for fuel production.
- The Ingonyama Trust has been asked to lead efforts to commercialise Amarula so that the economic benefits stay with Zulu communities.
The Zulu Royal Kingdom is supporting a push by King Misuzulu kaZwelithini to study how Amarula trees can be used to produce fuel and other products.
The king made the call in February during the Amarula festival in KwaZulu-Natal. He said the trees could be used for economic production, including making oils and products that can replace petroleum-based goods.
Prince Thulani Zulu of eZibindini Royal House, spokesperson for the king and the Zulu Royal Kingdom, said the king believed the country could face a fuel crisis in future.
“That is why he made this call for industries to advance their research after it was found that the Amarula tree can produce fuel,” Prince Thulani said.
He said the kingdom was grateful that Sasol was also working on alternatives so South Africa would not have to rely on fuel from other countries. Prince Thulani said many South Africans do not believe in the potential of the country’s natural resources.
He said Ingwavuma, near the border of Eswatini and South Africa, is an area where Amarula trees grow. He said this region could produce locally made fuel if industries took the opportunity seriously.
The king and local officials called for Amarula brewing to move beyond traditional use into a large, industrialised sector to help reduce high unemployment in KwaZulu-Natal.
King Misuzulu also called for Amarula-based products such as oils and perfumes to be developed. He urged the Ingonyama Trust to lead these commercialisation efforts so that the economic benefits go directly to Zulu communities.
Pictured above: King Misuzulu kaZwelithini has called for Amarula trees in KwaZulu-Natal to
be used to produce fuel and other products.
Image source: Zulu Royal Kingdom
