King MisuZulu kaZwelithini of South Africa says the Zulu nation has historical and cultural ties with several communities across other Southern African Development Community countries, including Zimbabwe.
In a prepared speech released by his office on Monday, King MisuZulu said African identities extend beyond colonial borders, but being family should not mean visiting or living with one another improperly or in breach of the rules.
King MisuZulu added that shared history and cultural links do not exempt anyone from complying with a sovereign country’s immigration laws and other regulations.
“Being family does not exempt us from respecting one another’s homes. On the contrary, family respects family, said the king.
“It is therefore inaccurate to portray South Africans as a people who hate Africans.
“South Africans have for generations welcomed students, entrepreneurs, professionals, investors, refugees and visitors from across the continent.”
The Zulu king recounted how the Nguni people migrated from Zululand in the 19th century into Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi and Tanzania.
He cited Mzilikazi kaMashobane, who settled in Zimbabwe, and Soshangane Nxumalo kaZikode, who went to Mozambique. Queen Nyamazane Dlamini left Swaziland for Zimbabwe, while Zwangendaba Jele travelled through Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi and into southern Tanzania.
These movements established Nguni communities across the region.
The mass migration was set in motion by the rise of Zulu King Shaka kaSenzangakhona in 1816, during a period of upheaval known as the Mfecane.
“Communities with common historical roots are also found in Eswatini, Mozambique, Malawi, Zambia, Tanzania and elsewhere across our continent,” King MisuZulu said.
“These histories remind us that African identity has never been confined to colonial borders.
“Our shared ancestry should inspire mutual respect. It should never be used to justify disregarding the immigration laws of sovereign nations.”
To make his point, the Zulu king explained that when he arrived in Zimbabwe, he had to show his travel documents and state the purpose of his visit.
“As I arrived here in Zimbabwe, I presented my passport to the immigration authorities,” he said.
“My passport was stamped, I declared my nationality, I declared the purpose of my visit and I informed the authorities where I would be residing during my stay.”
He added: “By entering Zimbabwe, I accepted that while I remain King of the Zulu Nation, I am nevertheless a visitor within the sovereign territory of the Republic of Zimbabwe, and I am duty-bound to respect and obey the laws of this country for the duration of my visit.
“Likewise, every sovereign nation has the right to know who enters its territory, for what purpose they enter, how long they intend to remain, and whether they comply with that nation’s laws.”
MisuZulu added that respect for immigration laws was not unique to Africa, but part of how countries worldwide regulate their borders and migration.
He also voiced concern that the debate over undocumented immigration and anti-immigrant protests had become increasingly polarised across the continent.
The Zulu king said some people wrongly treat any concern about unlawful immigration as xenophobia, while others unfairly blame foreign nationals for every social and economic problem in their communities in South Africa.
-The NewsHawks-
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