By Celani Sikhakhane
The long-delayed King Zwelithini Amphitheatre, almost cancelled due to corruption claims, will finally be completed in October.
KZN MEC for Public Works and Infrastructure, Martin Meyer, announced this during his visit to the construction site at eNyokeni Royal Palace on Thursday.
Meyer said that the work on the project restarted in May last year and was 67% finished.
He avoided discussing corruption issues but said the R140-million amphitheatre will host Zulu royal events and other cultural activities.
Local forums welcomed Meyer during his visit and praised him for including the community in the project.
“When construction is done, it will be the venue for events like Umkhosi Womhlanga [Reed Dance]. Over 100 local people have been given jobs through this project,” Meyer said.
The MEC said his goal is to improve the province and create jobs by turning KZN into a “construction site” that benefits its people.
The late King Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu requested that the cultural venue be built in 2013. However, in 2016, the project was stopped due to corruption investigations.
The investigation revealed that prices had been inflated, and consultants charged much more than they should have.
By then, R129-million had been spent, and it was estimated that R1-billion would be needed to finish the project.
Work on the project resumed last year.
The amphitheatre will have 2,500 seats with special sections for VIPs and maidens.
Pictured above: Construction of the eNyokeni Royal Amphitheatre is underway in Nongoma and is set to be completed next month.
Source: Steve Bhengu /Public Works and Infrastructure
