Pietermaritzburg - A lot of money currently used for izimbizo can be channelled to helping the most vulnerable of KwaZulu-Natal's citizens, Zulu king Goodwill Zwelithini said on Wednesday.
Delivering an opening address at the legislature in Pietermaritzburg, the king questioned the logic behind hosting izimbizo, or community gatherings.
“As a province it is high time that we do things differently, with respect to this house and government. I am calling for a review of the izimbizo; the reports I am getting is that they are a waste of resources,” the king told members of the provincial legislature.
Izimbizo have been one of the key programmes since the ANC assumed control of government in the province in 2004. The legislature and government departments host a range of these programmes where they interact with members of the public.
Opposition parties have contested the merits of izimbizo in the past, arguing that they were used to garner support for the ruling party.
“There is little doubt that a review of izimbizo would lead to savings of huge amounts of money,” the king added.
Sapa