A prominent monarch in South Africa has rejected a land reform that affects him.
Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini says he is not willing to surrender lands under a trust he runs.
A government panel had recommended that the land trust he presides over, the Ingonyama Trust, be scrapped.
Goodwill Zwelithini told his subjects at a traditional royal gathering, that he will not let go lands under his trust.
“I was born from a brave man and that is why I know I will be victorious against those who are trying to take my land,” Zwelithini said.
The Ingonyama Trust
The Ingonyama Trust the Zulu King presides over covers 30,000 sq km of land.
The lands are managed through traditional leaders appointed from communities.
The Zulu nation was founded by the world-famous King Shaka and is well known for its tradition and culture.
The government panel led by former President Kgalema Motlanthe is proposing that people be given title deeds for the land they occupy.
He said such people must not benefit from the king’s trust.
ANC reaction
ANC head of elections Fikile Mbalula says a meeting is needed to resolve the confusion.
“There is urgency for that meeting because the ANC is going to be misconstrued as anti-Zulu and fighting the king, which is not the case”, Mbalula added.
“There is no view of the ANC that says we support the high-level panel, there is no such.
“Everyone must disabuse themselves [of the idea] that the ANC is anti-Zulu king, and it wants to annex [the Zulu kingdom] or do anything in relation to this question based on the recommendation of Motlanthe’s high-level panel,” Mbalula said.
The ANC will meet with traditional leaders through CONTRALESA and also meet with the King of the Zulu Nation. There should be no ambiguity- the ANC must and will clarify its stance. ANC didn’t take a decision to take land from the Ingonyama Trust. #ThumaMina pic.twitter.com/dU6KqGPXOI
— Fikile (Mr Fearfokkol) (@MbalulaFikile) July 5, 2018
South Africa’s land reform
South Africa is currently discussing proposals to reform its land sector.
The parliament this year adopted a motion to amend the country’s Constitution. That is to allow for the expropriation of land without compensation.
The motion was brought by the leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters, Julius Malema. It received 241 in support, and 83 against.
The country’s Constitutional Review Committee has taken up the process and will report back to Parliament by August 30.
A 2017 land audit report by the department of land reform states that 72% of farm land is owned by white owners.
That is followed by coloured (people of mixed race) at 15%, Indians at 5% and blacks at 4%.
Source: Africafeeds.com
