King Goodwill Zwelithini announced on Thursday that he would be hosting a social cohesion summit in January.
The king was speaking at an exclusive sod-turning ceremony where businessman Vivian Reddy’s Edison Corporation and Rob Alexander of Ducatus Property Group unveiled a R3bn mixed-use development. The ceremony was held at the Beverly Hills in Umhlanga.
Zwelithini, who delivered the main address, said: "Recently there has been much debate about the lack of social cohesion in our communities... I have announced a summit for all communities, political parties, business and religious organisations to transparently discuss this issue and find solutions so that all of us can live in a society free of conflict."
Zwelithini’s advisor, Judge Jerome Ngwenya, said that during 2012 the king had called a summit and there had been a cleansing ceremony.
"One of the critical issues was to focus on the African-Indian relations then. Vivian Reddy even brought about 300 people of Indian origin to the palace and the Reed Dance ceremony.
"Due to a number of problems, that process was not carried forward after 2012. This year, there were allegations of xenophobia which were said to be attributed to a speech he made in Pongolo.
"As a result, the South African Human Rights Commission investigated and that is still an ongoing process. Other than that, he realises that there are still further tensions in the province among racial groups and with locals and foreign nationals.
"That is why he decided to, through the King Goodwill Zwelithini Foundation, host the summit."
On the SAHRC’s investigation into the king’s alleged utterances, Ngwenya said he had received the SAHRC’s preliminary report and was still studying it. He said a team chosen by the king would study it and advise him on it.
"We hope that in the new year, the king will give direction as to how he wants to respond to the matter," said Ngwenya.
News24
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http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/king-goodwill-zwelithini-to-host-social-cohesion-summit-20151210
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King Goodwill Zwelithini to host 'social cohesion summit'
King Goodwill Zwelithini announced on Thursday that he would be hosting a social cohesion summit in January.
The king was speaking at an exclusive sod-turning ceremony where businessman Vivian Reddy’s Edison Corporation and Rob Alexander of Ducatus Property Group unveiled a R3bn mixed-use development. The ceremony was held at the Beverly Hills in Umhlanga.
Zwelithini, who delivered the main address, said: "Recently there has been much debate about the lack of social cohesion in our communities... I have announced a summit for all communities, political parties, business and religious organisations to transparently discuss this issue and find solutions so that all of us can live in a society free of conflict."
Zwelithini’s advisor, Judge Jerome Ngwenya, said that during 2012 the king had called a summit and there had been a cleansing ceremony.
"One of the critical issues was to focus on the African-Indian relations then. Vivian Reddy even brought about 300 people of Indian origin to the palace and the Reed Dance ceremony.
"Due to a number of problems, that process was not carried forward after 2012. This year, there were allegations of xenophobia which were said to be attributed to a speech he made in Pongolo.
"As a result, the South African Human Rights Commission investigated and that is still an ongoing process. Other than that, he realises that there are still further tensions in the province among racial groups and with locals and foreign nationals.
"That is why he decided to, through the King Goodwill Zwelithini Foundation, host the summit."
On the SAHRC’s investigation into the king’s alleged utterances, Ngwenya said he had received the SAHRC’s preliminary report and was still studying it. He said a team chosen by the king would study it and advise him on it.
"We hope that in the new year, the king will give direction as to how he wants to respond to the matter," said Ngwenya.
News24
Source
http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/king-goodwill-zwelithini-to-host-social-cohesion-summit-20151210
Version
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