Traditional Prime Minister Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi announced that King Misuzulu KaZwelithini will get a new palace in Ballito.
This new palace is meant to honour the legacy of King Shaka kaSenzangakhona, who had his home in kwaDukuza, Stanger.
Buthelezi made this announcement during a government event on Friday in Dokodweni, in the north of KZN.
“We will build a palace for King Misuzulu KaZwelithini in Ballito under the iLembe district municipality. This is where King Shaka resided and even his grave is there,” said Buthelezi.
The exact cost of the palace is not yet known.
Currently, another palace is being built for King Misuzulu KaZwelithini in Nongoma, in the northern part of the province.
For now, the King is living at kwaNkomonye Royal Palace, which used to be the house of former premier Lionel Mtshali. This house was converted into the King’s royal palace.
There was controversy back in 2008 when the KZN government bought a R2.8-million house in Hillcrest for the late King Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu, but the King refused to use it, saying he couldn’t live in a house that someone else had used.
Buthelezi also announced that traditional leaders will no longer have to go through head counts to receive their salaries.
“Why would our traditional leaders be subjected to a head count whereas politicians are not subjected to that undignified process? This was a humiliation process that I have decided to scratch,” said Buthelezi.
He also said that commanders of amabutho (Zulu regiments) will now receive salaries for their work.
Additionally, women who perform virginity testing will also get monthly salaries.
