Name change fight splits parties in KwaZulu-Natal

By Celani Sikhakhane

• The Democratic Alliance and the African National Congress in KwaZulu-Natal both rejected the King’s call to remove Natal, saying it would cost billions while unemployment sits at 40 percent.

• Economic Freedom Fighters and uMkhonto Wesizwe Party leaders in the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature backed King Misuzulu’s plan to scrap the colonial name Natal.

The push to rename KwaZulu-Natal has sparked a fierce political row in the province.

King Misuzulu kaZwelithini used his speech at the Opening of the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature on Thursday to raise the issue. He said the name Natal carries painful memories of colonial rule and must be removed to restore the dignity of the Zulu nation.

Speaking directly to Democratic Alliance KwaZulu-Natal leader Francois Rodgers in front of guests, King Misuzulu reminded him how white colonialists claimed to have discovered land that was already inhabited.

He said when Vasco da Gama arrived, he acted as if he had found an empty land and then named it Natal.

“Rodgers those Whites acted like they found an empty land in this province when Vasco Da Gama arrived because he came here KwaZulu and claimed that he discovered the land and named our land as Natal. That’s why we want to remove that name which has a painful past for us as Zulus,” said King Misuzulu.

Rodgers later made it clear that his party does not support the proposal. He said changing the name of the province would be a costly exercise at a time when many people are without jobs.

“This should be the least of our problems because we are facing a serious crisis of unemployment. Remember this exercise will not just be a signing of a paper but there’s a whole lot of processes that will have to take place and cost billions of rands that should instead be used for reducing unemployment,” said Rodgers.

The African National Congress in the province also rejected the call. The party said no one should simply wake up and demand a name change.

But other parties threw their weight behind the King.

Economic Freedom Fighters leader in the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature Mongezi Thwala said they will rally behind the Zulu King on any call against colonial structures. He said they fully support the removal of Natal.

The uMkhonto Wesizwe Party also praised King Misuzulu and said they support him.

Some academics warned that the process could cost more than R1-billion. They pointed to the year 2000 when government changed the Northern Province to Limpopo at a cost of R400-million.

Pictured above: Democratic Alliance KwaZulu-Natal leader Francois Rodgers laughs during the legislature sitting.

Image source: KwaZulu-Natal Legislature