- Prince Thulani Zulu said Natal reminds people of Portuguese and British attacks during King Dingane kaSenzangakhona’s time as Zulu king.
- ANC coordinator Mike Mabuyakhulu opposes removing Natal, saying it means Christmas and anyone wanting the change must follow the Constitution.
The Zulu Kingdom has intensified its campaign to rename KwaZulu-Natal to KwaZulu.
The kingdom says Natal is a painful reminder of how Portuguese and British invaders attacked the Zulu nation during the reign of King Dingane kaSenzangakhona.
Prince Thulani Zulu of eZibindini Royal House is spokesperson for King Misuzulu kaZwelithini. He said over the weekend that the king and the kingdom are not backing down on the proposal to rename the province.
“It is a disgrace that there are those who are rejecting the removal of Natal while it [is] a painful reminder of how the Portuguese and British attacked and took the land of the Zulu nation,” Prince Thulani said.
He said the Zulu nation suffered during the arrival of these nations. Many people were killed. Others were sold into slavery.
“We won’t allow such [a] painful past to continue to be part of our lives,” he said.
The kingdom is circulating graphics of the new name. The graphics show the province as KwaZulu with Natal removed.
The ANC opposes the proposal. Mike Mabuyakhulu is the party’s coordinator in the province. He made it clear last week that nobody can change the province’s name through this route.
Mabuyakhulu said the name resulted from consensus during negotiations.
He said Natal has no harm because it means Christmas and originated from the Portuguese.
Mabuyakhulu said anyone wanting to remove Natal will be subjected to the Constitution.
The campaign is gaining momentum on social media. Many people are supporting King Misuzulu in the campaign.
Pictured above: Prince Thulani Zulu.
Image source: Royal Zulu Kingdom
