SOUTH AFRICA:
INDIAN-ORIGIN ZULU PRINCE WAS CONFERRED WITH TRIPLE HONORARY DEGREE RECENTLY
BY ONKARESHWAR PANDEY
Ishwar Ramlutchman, the only Indian to be adopted as a prince of the Zulu Kingdom has praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for making India proud and has expressed his willingness to contribute in the socio-economic development of motherland India.
In a Telephonic Interview with Indian Observer Post, Ishwar Ramlutchman, South Africa’s only Indian-origin Zulu prince who was conferred with triple degree honour two months ago, admired the works of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying he has made us proud. People of Indian Origin or PIOs across the world and particularly in the African countries love and respect Mr. Modi for the honour he has given to us the Indian origin people by his historic contribution in the development of India.
Mr. Ramlutchman, who has been involved in several philanthropy works ranging from save Rhino campaigns to distributing uniforms and stationery to underprivileged kids in South Africa, said, post COVID-19, I am planning to come to India to explore what I can contribute to our motherland. One of his priorities has been to improve water and sanitation services to disadvantaged communities, in consultation and collaboration with local authorities.
ACADEMIC ACCOLADES ISHWAR RAMLUTCHMAN MABHEKA ZULU
Ishwar Ramlutchman is the only Indian who has been adopted as a prince of the Zulu Kingdom. The Zulu people are the largest ethnic group and nation in South Africa with an estimated 10–12 million people living mainly in the province of KwaZulu-Natal.
In a rare recognition of his unheralded and long-standing yeoman service, philanthropy and bridge-building role-playing in South Africa – especially in rural and peri-urban KZN - three USA-based institutions - Los Angeles, LADC and IOA – conferred three prestige honorary degrees on behalf of the National Congregational School of Theology.
Ramlutchman received the triple honour – an honorary doctoral degree in Humanitarianism and Conflict Resolution, an honorary master’s degree in Christian Religious Studies, and an honorary professor’s degree in Humanitarianism and Community Development recently.
Lauding the contribution of Ramlutchman, Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini, the reigning King of the Zulu nation under the Traditional Leadership clause of South Africa’s republican Constitution, said in a message. “When I adopted Ishwar Ramlutchman, I gave him the name of Mabheka Zulu. The name Mabheka means the one who cares for my people. This was done after his heroic dedication and achievements in serving the poorest of the poor in the Kingdom of the Province of KwaZulu-Natal.”
“Mr.Ishwar Ramlutchman at such a young age has done so much in serving the poorest of the poor during the days of the Swami. We feel joy and pride when we see how he has a mind to continue what he learnt from his Master. By his actions of promoting peace and stability in our country clearly indicates that his heart is only for the betterment of our people. “I often say that he is a new model with a high mileage”. We congratulate you as you have been appointed as a member of the trust of the Royal Household”.
King Goodwill had said in his speech at the inaugural ceremony while appointing him as a trustee of the Household Trust of Royal Zulu Monarch.
King Goodwill Zwelithini ka Bhekazulu, who comes from a long line of Zulu warrior-kings, adopts the boy from a neighbouring north coast town and names him Prince Mabheka Zulu: ‘’When I adopted Ishwar Ramlutchman, I gave him a name of Mabheka Zulu. The adoption of dedicated and diligent subjects in the Zulu Kingdom was always done by my predecessors: Kings Shaka, Cetshwayo and Dinuzulu, to name a few.’’
‘The name Mabheka means the one who cares for my people. This was done after his heroic dedication and achievements in serving the poorest of the poor in the Kingdom of the Province of KwaZulu-Natal,’ King Zwelithini said at the graduation ceremony recently.
Dressed in full academic colours and regalia, professors and peers presented the triple honour of honorary doctoral degree in Humanitarianism and Conflict Resolution, an honorary master's degree in Christian Religious Studies, and an honorary professor's degree in Humanitarianism and Community Development on behalf of the National School of Theology in South Africa.
Ramlutchman’s family and his mother – were filled with a sense of pride and joy as they witnessed his glory hour in the midst of important guests –ranging from the elders from the Amakhosi, to those who heard the king pour praise on his princely son were KZN Finance MEC, Ravi Pillay, Professor SC Shabalala, Professor MR Ngalo, Reverend Ivan Naidoo, Dr Dolly Makhathini, Dr Mbongwa Nzama, members of the Nazerath Baptist Church, Inkosi Mqoqi Ngcobo of AmaQadi and friends and relatives.
‘’It was truly unimaginable and a very humbling hour of honour. I always let my work speak for itself without expecting any rewards, accolades or awards, bouquets, though my culture of generosity, love and kindness does sometimes attract brickbats from the negative spheres of professional jealousy, envy, lack of integrity, racism and narrow-mindedness,’’ Ramlutchhman told Indian Observer Post.
‘’These honorary academic awards has spurred me on to redouble my philanthropic and corporate social responsibility efforts by continuing my volunteerism and humanitarian work at grassroots levels.
‘’At the same time, I will not be far away from the leadership of our country to ensure that we work doubly hard to promote social cohesion, race relations, cultural heritage and intra-cultural celebrations and commemorations between the Zulu, Indian and other communities where are our citizens, compatriots and comrades continue to build new bridges.
‘’In this long, trying, frustrating and painful though peaceful journey, I have learnt that poverty and the poorest of poor in all communities is not a bridge too far for me to cross.’’
Recalling his boyhood, he said: ‘’Life was difficult and challenging in this poor community, but the struggles they experienced didn’t breed animosity or racial tension.
‘’We did exactly the opposite. Poverty was the common denominator that galvanized a sense of unity among an odd blending of Zulu-speaking African and Indian neighbours.
‘’It may be a far today, but we co-existed in harmony, peace and respect.’’
A long standing dream came true when Ishwar Ramlutchman had the distinct pleasure of meeting former President and world icon Mr Nelson Mandela. Mr. Mandela was undoubtedly a huge inspiration to Ishwar and recalling that meeting he says was one of his most precious and treasured moments permanently etched in his memory. He was also privileged to interact with President’s, Religious leaders and Leaders from various countries where they have shared the same platform at numerous events and cultural celebrations.
While talking to Indian Observer Post Dot Com, ISHWAR RAMLUTCHMAN retraced this selfless soul’s one-thousand-mile journey from a wood-and-iron house in Stanger’s Lot 14 to the Royal Palace in Nongoma, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
Forty-four years ago, he came into the life of Seetha and Ramlutchman Kissoon, His parents named him “Ishwar” - a philosophical concept in Hinduism meaning “God”.
BORN to poor, working-class parents within a sprawling Indians-only community of Lot 14 in Stanger, a northern most town within the Kwa Dukuza heartland of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, famously etched globally as the ancestral home of Chief Albert Luthuli, Africa’s first Nobel Peace Prize laureate for peace, Ishwar Ramlutchman refused to allow his proletariat social status bar him from achieving prosperity, peace and progress.