The Ingonyama Trust is a corporate entity established by the KwaZulu Legislative Assembly as a repository for the communal land of the Zulu Nation with His Majesty the King as the sole Trustee. In 1997 the democratic National Parliament of the Republic of South Africa amended this Act, so that it is consistent with modern constitutional order.
This amendment involved changes to all sections of the Act by way of the KwaZulu - Natal Ingonyama Trust Amendment Act 9 of 1997. This Act established the Trust Board appointed by the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development following a consultative process with the KwaZulu - Natal Premier, Executive Council and the KwaZulu - Natal Provincial House of Traditional Leaders. The King remains the sole Trustee and he (or his nominee) chairs the Board.
The Trust Board is tasked with the responsibility of administering the Trust and Trust land for the benefit, material welfare and social well-being of the Zulu nation, who continue to occupy the land as they historically have done.[1] The Trust owns 29.67% of the land in KwaZulu-Natal, which is equivalent to 28,000 square kilometres, or 10,811 square miles.[2]
The Board of the Trust consists of Inkosi Thanduyise Mzimela who is the chairperson of the Board as nominated by His Majesty the King MisuZulu kaZwelithini, and the eight members appointed by the Minister of Rural Development and Land Reform are as follows: