King Zwelithini condemns gender-based violence
The Zulu king assured women that he is in their corner
IT is a disgrace that during these trying times there are people who steal government money meant to help needy communities during the Covid-19 pandemic.
This was the sentiment of King Goodwill Zwelithini, speaking at the reed dance ceremony at the Inyokeni Royal Palace on Saturday.
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Zwelithini said the recent Auditor General’s report was shocking.
‘I support the notion that these people should not only be arrested, but must pay back all the money they stole.
‘The Covid-19 pandemic showed us that our government has money. The problem is we don’t have trustworthy people.’
The ceremony was attended by 30 maidens carrying placards with messages encouraging women to speak up about gender-based violence.
The reed dance ceremony was revived in 1984 when the HIV/Aids pandemic took hold.
‘This ceremony was then referred to as a cultural activity, but was later used as a means to address the HIV/Aids pandemic.
‘Few have a strong mentality such as reed dance maidens. They have the resilience to abstain and to deal with peer pressure because they know what they want in life.
‘That in itself earns a high level of respect as we are living in times when people fail to control themselves and end up indulging in destructive activities such as alcohol abuse.
‘Almost all the maidens who attended this year’s ceremony are here for the last time, as they are about to get married. I wish to thank you all for your behaviour, respect and understanding of our culture.
‘I am disturbed by the killings of women in this country. These killings shame me as your king.
‘Look at what is happening in Mthwalume. Among those killed in the area are young girls like Nosipho Gumede (16) and Akhona and Baja Duma, both of whom were only 25 years old.
‘I offer my sincere condolences to the bereaved families, but we must not take this as a norm because no nation that allows the killing of women deserves respect.
‘I want to assure our women that I am in their corner. I commit myself to your safety for as long as I live. This is a war that I and all who identify themselves as Zulus embrace,’ the king said.
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