Flights between Ulundi and St Helena on the cards
Cementing Ulundi and St Helena relations.
THE KZN government will be exploring the possibilities of direct flights from the newly renovated Ulundi Airport to St Helena Airport in the future.
This was announced by KZN Premier Senzo Mchunu during a carnival in Pietermartizburg on Thursday to commemorate the sacrifices made by individuals who were incarcerated at St Helena Island.
He said air transport links between Ulundi and Pietermaritzburg airports with St Helena would be looked into because of the historical ties among the two cities with the South Atlantic island.
‘We as government acknowledge our role as a tool to drive socio-economic development for the benefit of people in St Helena and KZN,’ said Mchunu.
‘The construction of the new airport at St Helena provides new opportunities to kick-start negotiations focusing on the twinning of KZN province with St Helena. We need to host regular conferences to share ideas on how to facilitate the exchange of much-needed skills to grow the economy of this remote island,’ Mchunu said.
Last week, the provincial government paid tribute to kings, emperors, chiefs, warriors and individuals of KZN who were exiled to St Helena.
Imprisoned
Among those who were imprisoned were King Dinuzulu, aMakhosi and more than 5 000 Boers.
‘We pay tribute to the Boers who were held in this remote island by the British after the Anglo-Boer War between 1899 and 1902,’ said Mchunu.
‘Records show that five prisoners elected to remain on the island, together with about 200 Boers who died in captivity and were buried on the island.
‘We salute about 25 aMakhosi and Izinduna, who were also banished to St Helena for their participation in the revolt against poll tax during the Bhambatha Rebellion in 1907.
‘The Zulu King Dinuzulu was also banished to St Helena in 1890 after he was found guilty for having participated in the rebellion.’
There were also prisoners from Zululand including slaves from many countries in Africa, India, China, Madagascar, Sri Lanka, Indonesia and inhabitants from Britain and France.
‘Records show weddings ceremonies were held, which is a clear indication that it was in this island wherein our forefathers paved the way for the formation of a rainbow nation.
‘We must explore the possibility of establishing a Heroes Monument in St Helena, which can be assembled symbolically to allow for the public commemoration of our heroes and heroines as founding fathers of the new order,’ Mchunu said.
