UPHONGOLO: KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Sport, Arts and Culture Ms Amanda Bani-Mapena and the MEC for Human Settlements and Public Works Dr Ntuthuko Mahlaba today paid a courtesy visit to AmaZulu King, Misuzulu kaZwelithini to engage on a raft of pertinent matters.
Bani-Mapena met His Majesty as part of a meet-and-greet and to inform the King of the upcoming government-supported traditional ceremonies.
Bani-Mapena also sought His Majesty’s guidance and counsel on the date of the two segments of the Reed Ceremony in Ingwavuma and at Enyokeni Royal Palace, as well as the Ilembe Commemoration Ceremony.
The MEC also sought the guidance of His Majesty on two other imminent issues of the unveiling of the King Shaka statue.
MEC Mahlaba also came to inform His Majesty and to seek his blessing after he was appointed by the KwaZulu-Natal Executive Committee as the Zululand Operation Sukuma Sakhe District Champion.
The engagement was characterised by mutual respect and acknowledgement of all parties’ responsibilities. The King expressed appreciation at being taken aboard on all government programmes.
“I am pleased to meet you, MEC Bani-Mapena. I am lucky to have the support of your department, which over the years has been relentless and instrumental in supporting the Royal House ceremonies,” said His Majesty.
“We are all new and young leaders, and it is my belief that we will guide each other always and emulate the way that my predecessor, my father, charted to hold the highest values and mutual respect for each other. I commit to working with the present government as the monarch. If we crawl, let’s crawl together and learn from each other”.
Bani-Mapena thanked His Majesty and pledged to always consult and work on sustainable solutions going forward.