Zulu King no longer coming to Zimbabwe

ZULU King Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu has reportedly cancelled his intended visit to Gwanda  this weekend amid a backlash from the Gwanda community.

King Zwelithini was meant to attend a three- day jamboree, to be held in the mining town from Friday. The event is set to include about 102 gospel artistes jetting in from neighbouring South Africa to perform at a free-of-charge show to be held at Pelandaba Stadium and the official opening of a new 1 000-seater Brethren-in-Christ Church.

Sources close to the organisers revealed that after the publication of the story exposing the intended visit there was a backlash from the Gwanda community, with the provincial leadership convening a Joint Operations Command meeting for the organisers to explain the intention of the visit.

Most of the residents reportedly stated that the Zulu monarch was not welcome in the mining town.

A delegation from South Africa had to be sent to the town a couple of weeks ago to assess the mood after the publication of the story, with a report back meeting being held in Pretoria last week.

In an interview with Sunday News, however, Zulu royal family spokesperson Prince Thulani Zulu distanced the King from the intended visit alleging that no one had contacted them or invited any member of the royal family to Zimbabwe.

"We were actually surprised when we heard of this issue, there was never such an arrangement and no one ever contacted us. However, I must hasten to say that we did not develop cold feet as is being suggested in some circles. The king was simply never invited. If King Zwelithini today decides to go to Zimbabwe he will go because the King travels any place where he wants to," said Prince Zulu.

Matabeleland South Provincial Minister Cde Abednico Ncube declined to comment saying his office had nothing to say on the matter.

"I would rather not comment on that matter, contact the organisers or King Zwelithini himself," said Minister Ncube.

A South Africa-based businessman, who is the sponsor of the three-day jamboree, Mr Justice Maphosa said the meetings were part of their fortnightly meetings which were meant to update the organisers from the neighbouring country on progress that was being made in Gwanda.

"We have been holding these meetings fortnightly for the past three months so there is nothing sinister about them. As you might know, there are organisers from Zimbabwe and South Africa so these are just feedback meetings to assess the preparedness for this three-day jamboree.

"It was a meeting of people from this side in South Africa, the church in Gwanda and officials from Gwanda town council, looking at such issues as security, the mood ahead of the shows and a number of other logistical issues," said Mr Maphosa.

Questioned on the alleged invitation of the Zulu king, Mr Maphosa distanced himself from the matter claiming that whoever had confirmed the issue had overstepped his authority as this was never part of their original plans.

"Simply, the King is not coming. However, what should be noted is that whether the king attends is neither here nor there because this is only about the church and spreading the word of God, we simply want to celebrate the opening of the church's building.