Durban – The hostel economy project, a brainchild of King Misuzulu’s former spokesperson, Prince Africa Zulu of the Onkweni royal house, has received a shot in the arm following endorsement by the Gauteng provincial government.

In a recent crucial meeting between the Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi and Prince Africa, the premier who was accompanied by Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC Uhuru Moiloa and Human Settlements MEC Lebogang Maile, committed his government to the project.

The prince told the Daily News on Wednesday that he was happy that his concept had received the backing of the Gauteng government, particularly by Lesufi who took time to meet him and listen to his presentation. He said Gauteng’s buy-in to the concept was crucial as the province had the largest population of hostel dwellers in the country, with more than 150 000 dwellers in 45 hostels followed by KwaZulu-Natal with just over 25 000 dwellers, mostly in Durban’s main hostels which are KwaMashu, Glebelands, Seventeen and KK.

“The engagement with the premier had two main objectives – aligning the hostel economy vision with broader Gauteng provincial development plans and securing support from the Gauteng provincial administration.

“This involves formalising commitments through agreements that outline the roles and responsibilities of various government departments and stakeholders. Securing funding, policy adjustments, and the allocation of resources are critical during this phase.

“These agreements should be solidified within the first year to ensure that the necessary support structures are in place.

“A consensus has been reached on the necessity of a summit led by the interim structure of izinduna, the informal leaders within these communities,” said Prince Africa.

Prince Africa Zulu, left, and Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi with an induna after their meeting to discuss hostel economy. Picture: Supplied

He added that the summit’s goal was to identify key strategic priorities, such as addressing skills mismatches and the need for skilling residents which, he said, were challenges that were a direct result of decades of economic exclusion and required targeted interventions to ensure that hostel dwellers could participate effectively in the broader economy.

Prince Africa started the project while he was still the king’s spokesperson, with the aim of transforming hostels into economic hubs for the benefit of the king’s subjects who were migrant workers from KZN.

Many Zulu men migrated from rural areas to cities such as Johannesburg during the industrial revolution, which was prompted by the discovery of gold and diamonds in the then Transvaal. In response to the exodus, the government built hostels around mines to meet accommodation needs.

The migration also took place in KZN where people moved from rural areas to Durban to seek job opportunities which resulted in the establishment of hostels.

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