Durban — ANC KwaZulu-Natal chairperson Siboniso Duma has apologised to King Misuzulu kaZwelithini for grabbing the microphone from Zulu traditional minister Thulasizwe Buthelezi.
Duma, also the MEC for Transport and Human Settlements, came under heavy criticism following the incident which President Cyril Ramaphosa also attended.
It all started when Buthelezi was about to introduce King Misuzulu. Duma, irked by Buthelezi’s utterances, stood up and dramatically grabbed the microphone from him, leading to ructions in the crowd. At the time, tempers were already flaring as the country was heading to the high-stakes May 29 elections.
As part of his apology, Duma gave six live cattle to King Misuzulu at the king’s royal palace in Pongola, in the far north of KwaZulu-Natal.
During the event on Thursday, Duma said: “I apologise wholeheartedly, Your Majesty (King Misuzulu). I come to you today to apologise unconditionally and offer cattle as a sign of my sincere regret.”
He added: “We respect his Majesty. We have worked well, and he has always welcomed us with warm hands, all the time.”
The incident, which got tongues wagging and drew howls of criticism, happened in March during the 110th anniversary of King Dinuzulu kaCetshwayo in KwaCeza, in the north of KwaZulu-Natal.
Speaking about the incident, Duma said: “What happened, Your Majesty, will never happen again. We made a mistake, and we apologise to you.”
In a statement issued after the visit, Duma said: “With a high sense of humility and respect, we wish to express our deepest appreciation to His Majesty for welcoming us into the palace. We were inspired by his guidance, wise words and clear vision for the overall improvement of the public transport system.”
Duma was in the town to launch the construction of a new road.
Commenting about the project, Duma said: “We agree with His Majesty that the stimulation of rural economies and the success of rural economic development will be largely determined by the accelerated construction of roads in rural areas.”
Duma and Buthelezi have already ironed out matters as their parties, the IFP and the ANC, in July joined the Government of National Unity (GNU), and also the Government of Provincial Unity in KZN after the province was hung after the elections.
After the elections, IFP KZN chairperson and Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli appointed Duma as MEC for Transport and Human Settlements and Buthelezi as MEC for Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta).
King Misuzulu, who lashed out at Duma at the time of the incident, accepted his apology.
“We all learn from our mistakes. We are now starting on a clean slate. Your apology is accepted,” said the king.
King Misuzulu also pleaded with the provincial government to work with the Ingonyama Trust and Amakhosi “to ensure that communities benefit from mining operations for the extraction of a range of mineral products, including lime, slate, titanium, granite and sandstone quarries for construction materials”.
King Misuzulu added: “We must also promote efficient and transparent resource allocations towards construction, rehabilitation and maintenance of roads in deep rural areas.”
WhatsApp your views on this story to 071 485 7995.
Daily News