Johannesburg - Lobby group AfriForum says it looks forward to working with Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini in a mutual partnership over food security in the country.
The King announced a partnership with the lobby group at King Shaka Day celebrations in Durban on Monday.
The decision may be seen as a surprise for many as AfriForum is known as having its interest focused on Afrikaner communities. A common issue that might have driven this partnership is the organisation's strong views against land expropriation without compensation.
While Zwelithini has also spoken strongly against any attempts by the government to tamper with the tribal land as part of its plans for land expropriation. Some of this land is administered by the Ingonyama Trust.
The King said the partnership with AfriForum was focused on food security.
“The Zulu nation I’m talking about will not exist if we don’t have food. That’s why I say farmers must come closer so that we discuss what we can do when we talk about agriculture and the availability of enough food in the land. That’s why I’m asking AfriForum of the Boers to come and help us, as they’ve introduced themselves to me that they are willing to work with me and my father’s people to uplift agriculture in our land in order to have food. Because when the government started talking about the appropriation of land expropriation without compensation, Boers downed tools. There is no food in South Africa,” he said in an insert on eNCA.
"AfriForum is looking forward to working with HM King Goodwill Zwelithini and the Zulu people on a basis of mutual recognition and respect," said Afriforum CEO Kallie Kriel.