King Misuzulu ka Zwelithini (AmaZulu) and King Ndamase Ndamase (Western Pondoland) are set to travel to Zimbabwe to meet President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
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Reason for Visit: The meeting is to address rising anti-immigrant tensions in South Africa.
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Background: The visit follows a June 27 meeting where South African President Cyril Ramaphosa met traditional leaders to discuss anti-immigrant sentiment, which preceded nationwide anti-immigration demonstrations on June 30.
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Proposed Summit: The kings propose hosting a SADC regional minority summit in Victoria Falls to discuss xenophobia, migration, and the role of minorities within the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), aiming to turn migration into a “strategic asset for regional investment.”
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Mnangagwa’s Role: King Ndamase cited Mnangagwa’s “Pan-Africanist credentials” as a reason for the meeting. Zanu PF spokesperson Chris Mutsvangwa confirmed the meeting and framed it as addressing the “weaponisation of poverty.”
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King Misuzulu’s Prior Role: Misuzulu helped calm tensions in KwaZulu-Natal before the June 30 protests, urging subjects to avoid property destruction and instructing royal regiments to protect foreign nationals.
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Zimbabwean Repatriation: Since May, Zimbabwe’s government has repatriated 21,291 nationals, with 56,832 returning independently due to fears of violence in South Africa. An inter-ministerial committee has been established to manage returnees and reintegration.
