KWAZULU-NATAL businessman, Manzini Zungu, said the family was looking forward to working hand-in-hand with the Xhosa Kingdom, through their business foundations, as well as channeling investment to rural communities under AmaXhosa King Ahlangene Vulikhaya Sigcau’s jurisdiction.
Zungu, the executive chairperson of Pacina SPAR Retail Group, made the comments during a courtesy visit to AmaXhosa King Ahlangene Vulikhaya Sigcau, at Nqagu Great Place in Willowvale, on August 26.
The Zungu family recently acquired Sutherland, Myezo and Savoy SPAR stores in Mthatha, as well as Ngqeleni SPAR under their retail group. The family also recently acquired the Premier Soccer League status of Amazulu Football Club.
“The purpose of the visit was simply to meet the king to bring our credentials as the leaders of the community in business and to formally introduce ourselves to His Majesty, as our wish is to forge cordial and mutually beneficial relationships with all traditional leaders where our businesses operate,” said Zungu on the reasons for his visit to the AmaXhosa King.
Zungu and his entourage also gifted the king with a pregnant cow, Amazulu FC T-shirt personalised with the king’s salutation Ahh! Vulikhaya, and the finest whisky and wine during their visit.
The king, in turn, slaughtered a lamb for the Zungu family to feast on during their visit.
Mbhashe Local Municipality council speaker, Babalwa Majavu, who also attended the meeting between Zungu and the king, said the visit augured well with the municipality’s vision.
“We appreciate your visit and welcome the fact that you talk of investment in rural communities, which is something that augurs well with our vision, as the municipality, of stimulating economic growth through attracting investment to the municipality,” said Majavu.
Zungu proposed, among other things, the hosting of soccer tournaments, which their businesses will sponsor, and where players who excel will be given professional training at the Amazulu FC facilities in Durban, as well as skills development training and targeting unemployed youth and people from child- headed households.
He committed to initially train and assist 50 youths with job placements within their businesses, through the skills development programme.
Chief Ngubelizwe Sigcau, an uncle to King Vulikhaya Sigcau, thanked the Zungu family for their visit, while also welcoming their intentions to invest and use the Xhosa nation as one of the areas to scout for future footballers.
Zungu says he planned to meet other kingdoms in the Eastern Cape, in due course.
