King Misuzulu kaZwelithini has called on Zulu people to stop clashing with Indian South Africans over business chances. He said the two groups should rather learn from each other and grow wealth together.
The King spoke on Friday at the Bayede Diwali Festival, held at eMashobeni Royal Palace in Pongola, KwaZulu-Natal.
“I do know that Zulus have tensions against Indians and they claim that Indians exploit them. All I can say is you need each other and as Zulus you can learn a lot from the Indian community in terms of business and develop each other,” King Misuzulu said, according to Scrolla.Africa.
He said he was aware of the long history of tension between the two communities. This is strongest in Durban, where some Zulu people have accused Indian employers of exploiting workers.
Some have also claimed that Indian business owners keep opportunities to themselves, the report said.
King Misuzulu said the Indian community has business knowledge and experience that could help Zulu people. He said this could help them start their own businesses and create jobs and income.
He praised Indian business owners and professionals for what they have added to the South African economy.
The King also reminded the crowd that Indian and African people share a painful past under colonialism and apartheid.
He paid tribute to Indian families whose ancestors came to South Africa as indentured labourers. Many of them worked under harsh conditions. He also honoured those who arrived as traders and built businesses that still support the economy.
The festival was hosted by the King with his adopted royal son, Prince Ishwar Ramlutchman Mabheka Zulu, and the Sivananda World Peace Foundation.
King Misuzulu said his late father, King Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu, worked to bring different communities together. His father adopted Prince Ishwar, making him the first person of Indian descent formally adopted into the Zulu royal family.
The King confirmed Prince Ishwar’s role as Royal Ambassador for Social Cohesion and Economic Development. He thanked the prince for organising the festival and for helping to put up Sivananda Peace Pillars across South Africa.
He also quoted the late traditional prime minister, Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi. “Deep inside every Indian there is a token of kindness,” the King recalled.
King Misuzulu said he wants the two communities to build closer friendships by joining each other’s cultural events. He invited more Indian families to attend Umkhosi Womhlanga, the yearly Reed Dance.
He also asked Zulu people to attend the Hare Krishna Festival of Chariots in Durban, known as Ratha Yatra.
The King said respect, cultural exchange and working together could help both groups move past old tensions. He also spoke warmly about Indian food and the value of healthy living.
Source: this article is based on reporting by Scrolla.Africa. Image: Scrolla.Africa. Written with the help of AI and published by the Tzaneen Voice Business desk. See our Editorial Standards.
Anelisa Nkuna covers business and money news for Tzaneen Voice. Anelisa reports on the rand, fuel prices, interest rates, jobs, Eskom, Transnet, farming and company results. The aim is simple: explain what the numbers mean for household budgets, small businesses and workers in South Africa.