Zulu King MisuZulu kaZwelithini has called gender-based violence (GBV) a generational curse of violence that needs to come to an end.
The king was speaking at the launch of a gender-based violence app Eyerus, which aims to help victims of violence secretly record when they are in dangerous situations, share location with loved ones and have security dispatched. The app is supported by government.
“Gender-based violence is a great problem that engulfs the very soul of our society. It plagues us and is a generational curse of violence that should come to an end,” said MisuZulu.
“As the new King of AmaZulu and fitting into those new shoes… every time as I address the nation in an interview or make a speech… or give my warriors encouragement on how to become real men, I always mention the issue of GBV because it is very close to my heart.”
The king said traditionally the Zulu people had great respect for women and children.
“The land of the Zulu’s is called elikaMthaniya. uMthaniya, a woman, is held with very high regard. Women and children were always protected in our tribes.”
MisuZulu said it was important for communities to create their own problem-solving initiatives to not fully depend on government. The king said his new wife Queen Ntokozo Mayisela had started a programme that helped groom young Zulu men to be good men.
“My wife queen Ntokozo Mayisela also started a programme where we groom young Zulu men on how to be good husbands one day, how to protect their women and children, and how to be a good picture and representative and good example to our society that is plagued by this problem.”
The king also said traditional leaders were not only concerned with GBV but were also increasingly concerned about the Covid-19 pandemic.
“It becomes a very big concern to us as traditional leaders when we are coming from generations of dealing with the HIV pandemic.”
ledwabak@sowetan.co.za
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