King Zwelithini comes to town
Sharon Mathala | Friday April 24, 2015 18:00
Just weeks after allegedly making remarks that triggered widespread xenophobic attacks in South Africa, the Zulu King-Goodwill Zwelithini is expected to jet into Botswana in the not so distant future.
Mmegi has leant that the polarising monarch will be the guest of honour at an event showcasing African diversity; the inaugural Miss Africa Botswana Pageant in August.
Officially, the Botswana government has no problems with the monarch’s intended visit. Government spokesperson, Jeff Ramsay told Mmegi that, “Right now, we have no problem with King Zwelithini should he wish to visit the country”.
However, behind the scenes, government officials are reportedly undecided over Zwelithini’s visit. Sources say that the matter has been a subject of intense debate at the government enclave.
In the wake of violent xenophobic attacks that have left seven immigrants dead, hundreds injured and thousands of immigrants displaced in South Africa, the Botswana government is jittery about allowing the Zulu King, who is being fingered to have sparked the violence with his hate speech.
Top government officials are said to be already showing displeasure at the controversial King’s appearance at the noble event suggesting that it could even jeopardise the pageant with bad publicity.
“The event will be hosting participants from all across Africa; it is going to be very difficult to have Zwelithini there,” said a source, adding that it could even spark backlash against the Zulu monarch.
One top government official said: “Nothing is final yet, government is also considering the visit. It is very sensitive because it is more of a diplomatic issue than anything else. As we speak, the King is the most unpopular person in Africa.”
Apparently, Zwelithini confirmed his attendance at the launch of the event early this year, before he made the alleged xenophobic remarks. Mmegi is reliably informed that the announcement would be made next week Monday by the organisers of the event - Lentswe La Monana.
Miss Africa, a brainchild of youthful event manager Bruce Nkgakile, will see Botswana hosting a continental pageant with contestants from all over Africa. Nkgakile refused to talk about the King’s visit.
This week a source close to the event maintained that there was no reason to raise alarm in that the King has already set the record straight by stating that the media misquoted him. But at the King’s anti-xenophobia Imbizo at Moses Mabhinda stadium in Durban on Monday, Zwelithini did not apologise for the alleged utterances but instead called on his nation not to kill others.
The Imbizo (Pitso) was called following spate of violent attacks on foreign nationals, which many accused Zwelithini of having fueled with his xenophobic utterances a few weeks back. He was quoted by the Sunday Times newspaper as having said, “We are requesting those who come from outside to please go back to their countries”.
Immediately after this statements some parts of South Africa, in the KwaZulu-Natal capital, Durban especially, descended into chaos.
African immigrants especially were brutally attacked, stabbed, stoned, burnt with tyres and some murdered by gangs accusing them of stealing their jobs.
Last week, the Botswana government through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a press statement that they have noted with concern the reported incidents of violence targeted at some foreign traders in South Africa, specifically in parts of the Durban metropolitan region.
“While as of now there are no reports of any Batswana affected by the unrest, Government will continue to monitor the situation from the reported unrest. In the meantime, Batswana students in the affected areas, as well as Botswana citizens visiting or residing in South Africa are being advised to exercise additional caution.
“The Ministry in the meantime takes full cognisance and notes with appreciation efforts by the Government of the Republic of South Africa to contain the situation.”
Double Standards?
Other sources within the government this week said the government should act against Zwelithini and bar him from entering the country as they did with the leaders of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) who were placed under visa restrictions for security reasons. The argument is that as the alleged instigator of violence attacks against foreigners Zwelithini should be barred from entering Botswana, as he is a security threat. “He is not the people’s favourite at the moment. We have information that other countries are already targeting South African businesses in their countries as a result of these attacks.
Here at home, people are not happy with these attacks and some are already calling for the boycott of South African products. These clearly shows that people are not happy and the King would not be received well here,” said a source in government.
Reached for comment, Zwelithini’s spokesperson at Ingoyama Trust Board, the administrative executive Nonkululeko Mtshali confirmed receipt of Mmegi questions, but failed to respond before press time saying that their office’s schedule is busy at the moment hence they take longer than usual to respond to inquiries.
In 2013, during the Setswana debates, King Zwelithini was to feature as a guest of honour but for some reason he could not make it.
Instead, a delegation of palace aides, one of them being his son, represented him. It remains to be seen if this time around, because of the crisis he would choose again not to visit the country.
When informed of the planned visit, political analyst Anthony Morima called on the government to intervene and bar King Zwelithini from entering the country for a period of at least one year to allow the situation in South Africa and the rest of Africa to cool down. “His visit might be interpreted to mean that Botswana government or Batswana in general endorse whatever he is alleged to have been said. Also, this is not good for his personal safety.
Some people are still angry with what he said and it would not be safe to bring him here at an event that will be attended by foreign nationals who are still angry at him,” said Morima.