By Celani Sikhakhane
The KwaZulu-Natal government has reduced King Misuzulu kaZwelithini’s annual budget by R2-million after rejecting his R3-million trip to Malawi.
On Tuesday, KZN Premier Thami Ntuli announced that the King’s budget for 2024-25 is R77-million, down from last year’s R79-million.
This budget is not for the King’s personal use but for the upkeep of the Zulu royal household.
Ntuli explained that the budget covers the costs of important Zulu cultural events, like King Shaka’s Day, the Reed Dance, and Umkhosi wesivivane (a harvest ceremony for women). It also includes salaries for royal staff and other support for the royal family.
“The Office of the Premier also supports the Royal Household Trust, which helps preserve and promote Zulu culture through traditional and cultural events,” said Ntuli.
He also mentioned that a new board of trustees for the Royal Household Trust will be appointed this financial year.
Opposition parties have criticised the decision to cut the King’s budget. The MK party called the budget cut an insult to the King and demanded increased funding.
Last week, ActionSA KZN leader Zwakele Mncwango raised concerns about the R3.6-million trip to Malawi, which the King was supposed to attend for the Umthetho Cultural Festival.
The King decided not to go after the Office of the Premier told him he could only travel with 60 regiments.
Mncwango questioned why the provincial government spent over R4-million in 2019 for the late King Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu and his regiments to visit Britain, where they met King Charles (then the Duke of Edinburgh).
The King’s budget is separate from his R100,000 monthly salary.
The budget has faced challenges in the past, including reports that over R600,000 was stolen by government officials who claimed it was for royal family groceries.
Pictured above: Thami Ntuli with Siboniso Duma and Thulasizwe Buthelezi after the announcement of King Misuzulu kaZwelithini’s annual budget.
Source: Zandile Shange/Office of the Premier.
