Zulu King to Meet Mnangagwa Over South Africa Anti-Immigrant Tensions

AmaZulu King Misuzulu ka Zwelithini and King Ndamase Ndamase of Western Pondoland are expected to travel to Zimbabwe to meet President Emmerson Mnangagwa as regional leaders seek solutions to rising anti-immigrant tensions in South Africa. The planned meeting follows recent engagements between South African traditional leaders and President Cyril Ramaphosa on concerns over growing anti-immigrant sentiment.

King Ndamase, leader of AmaMpondo aseNyandeni in the Eastern Cape, informed South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, of the planned visit in a letter dated July 3. The correspondence outlined the intention of the two traditional leaders to engage Zimbabwe’s president on migration issues affecting the southern African region.

The Department of International Relations and Cooperation confirmed that it had received the letter. Department spokesperson Chrispin Phiri said the department would engage with the traditional leadership regarding the proposal for the visit.

According to King Ndamase, the decision to travel to Zimbabwe followed a high-level meeting held on June 27, during which President Cyril Ramaphosa met traditional leaders to discuss increasing anti-immigrant sentiment and the South African government’s response. He said the discussions highlighted the need for broader regional engagement on migration issues.

King Ndamase said he and King Misuzulu also met separately with President Ramaphosa on June 28. During that meeting, they agreed on the urgency of engaging leaders across the region to address migration challenges and strengthen cooperation among neighbouring countries.

The two kings intend to discuss southern African xenophobia, migration and the role of minority communities within the framework of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). They have also proposed the hosting of a Southern African Development Community regional minority summit in Victoria Falls, aimed at exploring ways of turning migration into what King Ndamase described as a “strategic asset for regional investment.”

In a separate letter dated July 3, King Ndamase requested a meeting with President Mnangagwa on behalf of both traditional leaders. In the correspondence, he referred to the Zimbabwean leader’s “Pan-Africanist credentials” and said he was well placed to guide discussions on regional migration tensions and cooperation.

Zanu PF spokesperson Chris Mutsvangwa confirmed on Monday that President Mnangagwa would meet the traditional leaders. Speaking at a press conference, Mutsvangwa said the engagement formed part of efforts to address what he described as the “weaponisation of poverty.” He added that the Zimbabwean president had been communicating through an intermediary linked to traditional leaders in KwaZulu-Natal, as well as among the amaXhosa and amaMpondo.

Mutsvangwa said correspondence had been received from the Kingdom of Zululand, the king of the amaMpondo and the Xhosa paramount king. He said discussions would focus on identifying measures that could be implemented at a sub-regional level to address migration-related challenges and strengthen cooperation among countries in southern Africa.

King Misuzulu is also reported to have played a role before the June 30 protests in KwaZulu-Natal, where he urged community members to avoid destroying property during demonstrations. He also instructed royal regiments and coordinators to protect foreign nationals from harm. Meanwhile, Zimbabwe’s Information Minister Zhemu Soda said on Tuesday that 21,291 Zimbabwean nationals had been repatriated by the government since May, while another 56,832 had returned independently due to fears of violence in South Africa. He added that an inter-ministerial committee had been established to oversee the reception, registration, transportation and reintegration of returning citizens.