MELAMINA THE QUEEN

CHAPTER 55

KING GCINISIZWE KUHLEKONKE ZULU

Ever since I could remember, I never thought being king was going to be an easy task. Sure my father made it look awesome and very cool but there were times when he would let me in on the difficulties of keeping a kingdom together against all odds. Not everybody loved him. Some even hated him because he would intervene in other small kingdoms. That made chiefs and kings hate him because they thought he was undermining them, whereas he was lending a helping hand. I want to be an example for my son but I also want to leave a mark in this world. I know that in the Zulu kingdom, there are people who are still poor and live off the social grant the government provide which is not enough. There are some old people who live with their grandchildren and have to take care of them with the same grant they receive. I have visited most places in my kingdom discretely and I know which places to start at with developments.

I am currently in a meeting with my council which is made up of my siblings, my cousins and a few men from the kingdom. Yes the council is made up of men but that’s because my wife has  her own council which is made up of women and we work together to make the kingdom and the world a better place. We are in a conference room at the Princess Jabulile lodge. I chose it because it’s closer to home just in case my wife needs me.

“I want us to start on the Masibumbane Project. But we won’t start with a lot. Just 50 houses for now. We already have 30 names on the list. We need the last 20 before the day ends. Now can we get this done before the year ends? I wish for these households to have a lovely Christmas in safe and secure homes.” I start off.

“Ndabezitha. It is possible if we employ a good construction company who wouldn’t waste time on sites and actually do what they are paid to do. I would suggest DCC but we want this project to include the community in the form of providing more job opportunities. And you know how lazy our black brothers can be.” Simingezwi comments.

I nod and look at Muzikhona. “How much should we allocate for this part of the project, Mtwana?” he is a qualified finance manager, so he knows more about funds than I do.
“A maximum of R20 million including cost of labour. Of course it won’t reach that, but it’s better to over budget than having to go back to the Bayede Trust for more. That would make us look like amateurs and we don’t want that.” He responds.

“But whatever we give the community, they will appreciate. We are not the government. We are not obliged to help them, especially with infrastructure.” One of the council men, Mbomvu, states. I see Sbo subtly roll his eyes. I am sure he is frustrated by this one.

“Somahhashi, we are not doing our people a favor by providing them with better housing. We are bringing growth and change in our land. They might not be expecting this, but we intend to excel in this project and not just do things for the sake of doing it. We are the most powerful, popular and feared kingdom in South Africa. We should lead by example and whatever we do, it should be perfection. Which is why I think employing half of builders from here and mixing them with DCC employers to make sure that all goes well and fast.” Mkhululi states. My brothers are very clever and mature. Having them in my council was the best decision.

“I think that’s wise, bafo. I am behind you on that.” Muziwabo chirps in. “We should also try to include more black owned businesses in this project and many more to come so that we will really uplift the community.” That is also wise.
“I guess that concludes the business of this project. When we meet again, we will have more information on it and the actual start date. We also need to speak to the Queen first before wrapping up anything that is DCC related.” Sbo comments. He is my right hand, my advisor. So besides me, he has the last word. “Moving on, the Bathuthe initiative, how far are we on that?”

The Bathuthe Initiative is something Muziwabo came up with. He went around the village and figured that there are kids who travel a lot of kilometers to get to school on foot and he figured since the world is now corrupted, these children could go missing and no one could care less about them. So the Bathuthe Initiative is basically us obtaining busses and transporting very under privileged children to school. Those who really can’t afford scholar transport. We do have teachers who know the kids who really need this opportunity. This is to prevent people from misusing this resource. For now, we will start with six busses to travel to different schools at morning and evening. Hopefully all these initiatives will be successful.

“We purchased all six 70-Seater busses from Coach Company, and even though we did not need it, they even gave us a 20% discount.” Muzikhona responds and I nod.

I am glad our plans seem to come together. I want to be done with these projects before my wife gives birth. A king cannot take a paternity leave but I want to be there for my wife, so what better way to do that than doing most plans ahead of schedule? We discuss other things before the meeting is dismissed and the staff bring us food. Being king means I have to travel with my personal chef everywhere I go so that he cooks for me and always makes it a point to come and serve me just to avoid any issues.

“Are you ready for the wedding, Mntwana?” Khondlo, one of the council men asks looking at Mkhululi and he smiles.
“When you have a bride as beautiful as that Mhlongo flower, trust me, you would have been ready the moment you laid eyes on her.” He responds causing most men to chuckle.

His wedding is in two months while the other ceremonies leading to it are next month. The coronation made him postpone his things but we couldn’t do that to him anymore. Which is why we postponed the national coronation to be in three months after his wedding hype has died down. I am very happy for my brother. I never thought I would see him settle down so soon. He was lucky to find his soulmate so early in life. I worry about the twins. I am sure settling down here in South Africa might be hard, even though they don’t show it. Maybe they had girlfriends, or even fiancés, who knows. While we are eating, Namuhla walks in with my phone.

“Your father is calling, Ndabezitha.” I thank her and take the phone before heading to the terrace.
“Baba.” I answer the call.
“Ndodana, how are you? How are things?” he asks. Even though I can’t see him, I can hear in his tone that he is happy and fulfilled. His other two wives followed straight after the coronation. So the man is well fed.
“This are going well, Baba. And I am fine. I am adjusting and implementing new things. You left your kingdom in good hands.”

He chuckles. “I am glad to hear that, Nkosana yam. Anyways, I wanted to tell you that Martha and I got married yesterday at court and we came back and had a mini celebration with your mothers. So when we come back that side, we will have a small ceremony with family to celebrate our union and introduce her to the ancestors.” Shwele. Dad doesn’t play. I was not expecting that. He is quick.

“Wow, congratulations. I can’t wait to see the blushing bride. I can only imagine how MaMolefe is feeling about all this.” She is the one who took this badly than all the wives. I don’t think she expected my father to take a sixth wife, worse someone who is way older than her.

“It took a lot of convincing to do but she is my wife and I know how to tame her.” I did not need to hear that.
“Yoh Baba, that’s too much information.” He laughs. “When are you guys coming back?”
“When it’s time for Mkhululi’s events. And we will stay for the wedding and leave again. I want my small wedding to be a day before Mkhululi’s white wedding.” This man is having the time of his life.
“Okay, I hear you, Ndabezitha. Enjoy your wives. I am also going home to enjoy mine, the one with multiple personalities.” He laughs and I join him before we say our goodbyes.