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King Zwelithini: The memory of King Goodwill Zwelithini KaBhekuzulu will be ingrained on the heart of farmers forever, says Mzansi's agricultural sector. He was a farmer in his own right and dedicated to rural development. Zwelithini has ruled over the Zulu nation since his coronation on 3 December 1971. Photo: Gallo Images/Daily Sun/Jabulani Langa

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Zwelithini: Agri salutes farming king of Zulu nation

by Noluthando Ngcakani
17th March 2021
in News
Reading Time: 7 mins read
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King Zwelithini: The memory of King Goodwill Zwelithini KaBhekuzulu will be ingrained on the heart of farmers forever, says Mzansi's agricultural sector. He was a farmer in his own right and dedicated to rural development. Zwelithini has ruled over the Zulu nation since his coronation on 3 December 1971. Photo: Gallo Images/Daily Sun/Jabulani Langa

The memory of King Goodwill Zwelithini KaBhekuzulu will be ingrained on the heart of farmers forever, says Mzansi's agricultural sector. He was a farmer in his own right and dedicated to rural development. Zwelithini has ruled over the Zulu nation since his coronation on 3 December 1971. Photo: Gallo Images/Daily Sun/Jabulani Langa

The grief-gripped Zulu nation will today bury its fallen monarch, King Goodwill Zwelithini KaBhekuzulu, in Nongoma. In an outpouring of condolences, the agricultural fraternity said it too had lost a visionary who unapologetically embraced the sector.

Zwelithini was 72 when he succumbed to a diabetes-related illness on Friday, 12 March 2021. This week, a multitude of high-profile guests, including agricultural minister Thoko Didiza, flocked to his home in northern KwaZulu-Natal to pay their last respects.

His Majesty will be remembered as a much-loved, visionary monarch who made an important contribution to cultural identity, national unity and economic development in KwaZulu-Natal and through this, to the development of our country as a whole. pic.twitter.com/HsTCNdG4Eo

— Cyril Ramaphosa 🇿🇦 (@CyrilRamaphosa) March 12, 2021

The executive chairman of the South African Farmers Development Association (SAFDA), Dr Siyabonga Madlala, described the Zulu king as a true custodian of the land; someone who was most passionate about protecting the farming land of the Zulu nation through the controversial Ingonyama Trust.

Agri SA deputy president and Makhathini Flats cotton farmer Phenias Gumede described Zwelithini as a close friend and farmer in his own right who understood the challenges of Mzansi’s producers.

Deputy president of the Agri SA, Phenias Gumede. Photo: Supplied/Food For Mzansi

“His Majesty was one of those unique kings. Though he was very much respected, he loved people regardless of their background, if they were young, old, poor, rich, when you met him, you felt like you were meeting your own father, or grandfather,” Gumede said.

Zwelithini will be buried this evening at a private ceremony to be attended by a selected group of men from the Zulu royal house.

President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to deliver Zwelithini’s eulogy at his memorial service on Thursday. In his weekly letter to the nation, the statesman paid tribute Zwelithini, remembering the monarch as a champion of preservation of heritage and a leader committed to rural development.

“His Majesty will be remembered as a much-loved, visionary monarch who made an important contribution to cultural identity, national unity and economic development in KwaZulu-Natal and through this, to the development of our country.

King Goodwill Zwelithini of KwaZulu Natal. Photo: GCIS/Flickr
King Goodwill Zwelithini of KwaZulu Natal. Photo: GCIS/Flickr

“(King Zwelithini) was a vital player in rural development and committed to driving programmes that uplift the material conditions of his people,” said Ramaphosa.

An agricultural icon

Gumede echoed Ramaphosa’s sentiments and added that the Zulu king would be remembered most for his work in rural development and the promotion of agriculture as a vehicle of change.

King Goodwill Zwelithini
Executive chairman of the South African farmers development association (SAFDA), Dr Siyabonga Madlala. Photo: SAFDA

Madlala said the Zulu king wanted nothing more than to see his people progress across the value chain of agriculture.

“He was a farmer of note himself and encouraged farming, in fact we were following in his footsteps. He will be greatly missed by the farming community in KwaZulu-Natal and the country at large. He will forever be in our minds and our hearts.”

Zwelithini was also the sole trustee of the Ingonyama Trust, an entity of the department of agriculture, land reform and rural development. He has always provided his vision for the trust, said Didiza.

King Goodwill Zwelithini: Thoko Didiza, the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development. Picture: polity.org.za
Thoko Didiza, the minister of agriculture, land reform and rural development. Photo: Polity

“We have worked very well with His Majesty on improving the operations of the Ingonyama Trust Board and subsequently improving the lives of his subjects,” the minister remarked.

“I wish to send my heartfelt and sincere condolences to the royal family and the Zulu nation. We continue to pray for your strength during this difficult time and may His Majesty rest in eternal peace.”

For the fallen Zulu king, agriculture was the key to sustained livelihoods, added Madlala. The mmajority of the SAFDA constituency are currently farming on Ingonyama land of which Zwelithini was the custodian.

“That is how deep his contribution was for us. He would advocate that the land must be made available for rural communities to farm on it,” said Madlala.

Advocate for the farmworker

Agri SA said it had very good relations with the king and worked well with him on farmer development projects.

Gumede said Zwelithini was a visionary and embraced all projects in collaboration with the Motsepe Foundation and Agri SA enthusiastically.

My deepest condolences to the family of the late King Goodwill Zwelithini!
One of the most influential leaders in South Africa, leader and steward of the Zulu nation!
We pray his family and the entire Zulu nation experience Gods love and comfort in this time!#KingZwelithini pic.twitter.com/TcFNlOdAFY

— Glenn Schroder (@glennschroder) March 12, 2021

“He was a very great father of the nation and loved farming. He encouraged people to develop themselves and not rely on government or on any other people. He encouraged people to work very hard to succeed in life.

“It was very painful to hear of his passing, though we will get another King he was rare and will be difficult to replace.”

King Goodwill Zwelithini
King Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu delivers a keynote address at the 2014 National Day Of Reconciliation Celebrations at Ncome Museum, KwaZulu-Natal. Photo: Siyasanga Mbambani/DoC

Gumede furthermore said the Zulu king was a no-nonsense advocate for the farmworker.

Often farmers in his home province would engage with Zwelithini in tackling agricultural issues, including farm attacks, stock theft, labour issues and natural resources.

“His legacy will remain embedded in our hearts and minds and we wish his family all the strength in these difficult times,” said Gumede.

“The Zulu king valued honesty and was not afraid to tell the truth or speak his mind. He was not shy and if farmers were doing the wrong thing especially when it came to labour issues, he did not want to see any farmer abusing his workers. He was straight forward.

“He was not shy to talk about farm murders, he believed when you kill a farmer you destroy the country’s food chain and supply. You create hunger, he was a straightforward talker.”

May your soul rest in Perfect Peace King #Zwelithini of the Zulu Nation 🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/2NkvNOl9EX

— Mwamvita Makamba (@Makambas) March 12, 2021

ALSO READ: Cheers to rural women who carry communities

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Tags: Agri SACyril RamaphosaDALRRDDr Siyabonga MadlalaKing Goodwill Zwelithini KaBhekuzuluPhenias GumedeSAFDAThoko Didiza
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Noluthando Ngcakani

Noluthando Ngcakani

With roots in the Northern Cape, this Kimberley Diamond has had a passion for telling human interest stories since she could speak her first words. A foodie by heart, she began her journalistic career as an intern at the SABC where she discovered her love for telling agricultural, community and nature related stories. Not a stranger to a challenge Ngcakani will go above and beyond to tell your truth.

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