Zulu king condemns farm murders

Brutal farm murders should not only be condemned by some, but all of us, says Zulu king Goodwill Zwelithini.

Likewise, when some call others monkeys, as in the case of estate agent Penny Sparrow, we must all condemn it, added the Zulu king.

The king called on government to visit affected communities “to encourage reconciliation”. While delivering his speech at the official opening of the KwaZulu-Natal legislature in Pietermaritzburg on Tuesday, the king said that “if we accept this truth, we would go beyond tolerating each other to embrace each other”.

According to IOL, Zwelithini also condemned the violence that took place during the state of the nation address (Sona). A brutal fight ensued between EFF members of parliament (MPs) and parliament security personnel who forcefully removed them from the chambers.

“If we are being honest with ourselves, these two initiatives have failed to take us forward from our sad past,” said the king.

“If someone has been called a monkey that should shock the whole nation, not just black people, because such statements take us back as a nation.”

“If a farmer is killed there should be widespread condemnation of such acts, not only from white farmers, but from all of us because the victim is a South African irrespective of where he comes from,” said the king.

“In short, I am saying let us put a stop to all the glittering functions meant to discuss reconciliation. Let us go to the communities on the ground who are affected to encourage reconciliation.

“I always say that the history of the Zulu nation would not be complete without the history of the Indian communities, and the history of English people, Afrikaners and Germans.

“Parliament has lost its dignity. What used to be a grand occasion when international guests are in our country has become a spectacle where chaos is the order of the day when the international spotlight is in our country,” said the monarch.

“It is not an exaggeration that what we see in national parliament brings shame. I appeal to you as your king, regardless of your political affiliation to work at ensuring that in the KZN Legislature none of the scenes witnessed in parliament take place in this province,” he pleaded.

“The province and the country needs vision-driven and courageous leaders so that future generations do not suffer because of the decisions taken today. As public representatives, ask yourself whether you are still living up to the oath of office.”