AmaZulu King Misuzulu kaZwelithini and King Ndamase Ndamase of Western Pondoland are expected to travel to Zimbabwe for talks with President Emmerson Mnangagwa as concerns mount over rising anti-immigrant sentiment in South Africa.
The planned visit follows growing regional tensions surrounding immigration and xenophobia, particularly ahead of and after nationwide anti-immigration demonstrations held in South Africa on June 30.
According to reports, King Ndamase, leader of the AmaMpondo aseNyandeni in the Eastern Cape, informed South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, of the proposed visit in a letter dated July 3.
Lamola’s spokesperson, Chrispin Phiri, confirmed that the Department of International Relations and Cooperation had received the correspondence and would engage the traditional leaders regarding their proposal.
Ndamase said the initiative emerged after President Cyril Ramaphosa met traditional leaders on June 27 to discuss increasing anti-immigrant sentiment and the government’s response.
He added that he and King Misuzulu later held a separate meeting with Ramaphosa on June 28, during which they agreed on the importance of engaging regional leaders to help address the issue.
The two monarchs intend to discuss xenophobia, migration and the role of minority communities within the framework of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
They have also proposed convening a SADC Regional Minority Summit in Victoria Falls, arguing that migration should be transformed into what they describe as a “strategic asset for regional investment.”
In a separate letter addressed to President Mnangagwa, also dated July 3, King Ndamase requested a meeting between the Zimbabwean leader and the two traditional rulers.
He praised Mnangagwa’s “Pan-Africanist credentials” and said the Zimbabwean president was well placed to help facilitate dialogue on regional migration challenges.
Zanu PF spokesperson Chris Mutsvangwa confirmed on Monday that Mnangagwa had agreed to meet the traditional leaders.
Speaking at a press conference, Mutsvangwa said the discussions would form part of broader regional efforts to tackle what he described as the “weaponisation of poverty.”
He said the Zimbabwean leader had been communicating through intermediaries connected to traditional leaders in KwaZulu-Natal as well as the amaXhosa and amaMpondo royal houses.
According to Mutsvangwa, correspondence had been received from the Kingdom of Zululand, the King of the amaMpondo and the Xhosa Paramount King, with discussions expected to focus on regional solutions to migration-related challenges.
King Misuzulu has previously appealed for calm in KwaZulu-Natal, which was viewed as the focal point of the June 30 anti-immigration demonstrations.
Reports indicate that he urged his subjects not to engage in violence or destroy property and instructed royal regiments and local coordinators to help protect foreign nationals during the protests.
Meanwhile, Zimbabwe’s Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Zhemu Soda, said on Tuesday that 21,291 Zimbabweans had been repatriated by the government since May.
He added that another 56,832 Zimbabweans had returned home independently amid fears of violence linked to the anti-immigrant tensions in South Africa.
According to Soda, the government has established an inter-ministerial committee to coordinate the reception, registration, transport and reintegration of returning citizens.
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