Princess is an empowerment champion

The ZAZI Ambassador for the Bayethe Trust Foundation, Princess Mukelile Zulu, passionately spearheads the ZAZI campaign encouraging women and girls to draw on their inner strength and self-confidence to know themselves, what they stand for and guide their decisions about their future.

The soft spoken, yet dynamic 32-year-old visits schools and community groups addressing children on reproductive health and issues of abuse, sexual assault and neglect.

She has teamed up with local non-profit organisation uThungulu Community Care in Richards Bay and recently hosted a child abuse awareness campaign at Bay Primary School in Brackenham.

‘The campaigns provide a platform where children can feel safe to speak out about abuse and we encourage them to report it.

‘We have to talk realistically about issues affecting women and children, such as teenage pregnancy and HIV/Aids.

‘The Bayethe Trust does not want to work in isolation, but with all groups to make a greater impact.

‘Culturally we are private and guarded, but we have to make it normal to talk about sex, reproductive health, sexual assaults, abuse and violence, and it can be done with respect.

‘We need to stop pretending that these acts are not happening.’

Another project close to her heart is the distribution of sanitary wear at rural schools.

She believes education is important and girls should not miss out on school because they cannot afford essential toiletries.

Princess Zulu recently returned from the International Visitor Leadership Programme (IVLP) in the United States of America, where she represented the country and royalty.

She said the experience was an honour and after meeting women from all over the world, she was impressed with their spirit of volunteerism and patriotism and wants the same for our country.

‘It has opened my eyes to new possibilities and I am more observant, open minded , assertive and I want to see change locally,’ she said.