On 20 March 2015, King Goodwill Zwelithini spoke at a “moral regeneration” event in Pongola, KwaZulu-Natal. He commented on the presence of cross-border migrants in South Africa and noted: “We request that all foreigners should take their baggage and be sent back.”
The sound track contains loud cheers from the audience. These remarks are widely attributed to have served as the catalyst for the xenophobic attacks that broke out in KwaZulu-Natal, and further spread to Gauteng. At least seven people were killed during these attacks, while thousands have been displaced.
A two-minute extract of the King’s address was available at online news services.
Sonke endeavoured to obtain the whole speech in order to hold the King accountable for his words, and it is made available here.
Listen the to King’s full speech here:
Find a transcript of the King’s speech in isiZulu here.
Find a translation into English here.
