Ramlutchman’s Diwali address at Emashobeni Royal Palace calls for peace and unity in KZN

Her Royal Highness Queen Mawewe, left, Her Royal Highness Queen Mulela,Her Royal Highness Queen Mayisela , His Majesty King Misuzulu kaZwelithini, Prince Ishwar Ramlutchman Mabheka Zulu and Eswari Ramlutchman

In his Diwali address at Emashobeni Royal Palace, Prince Ishwar Ramlutchman Mabheka Zulu paid tribute to the late King Goodwill Zwelithini and called for religious tolerance, reconciliation and peace in KwaZulu-Natal.

Today marks a special moment in the history of our province and our country at large, as we come together here at this Holy Ground, being the Royal Palace of His Majesty The King.

It is historic for me because when I say ‘Isilo Samabandla Onke’ it means’ His Majesty is the King of All of Us’. This is a practical demonstration of our King embracing us as his children and subjects of the Kingdom of KwaZulu-Natal.

It gives me great pleasure to address you on this most glorious occasion of Diwali. As you all already know, Diwali or Deepavali means "a row of lights."

There are various origins attributed to this festival. Some hold that they celebrate the marriage of Lakshmi with Lord Vishnu.

In Bengal, the festival is dedicated to the worship of Kali. It also commemorates that blessed day on which the triumphant Lord Rama returned to Ayodhya after defeating Ravana, the demon of Lanka. On this day also, Sri Krishna killed the demon Narakasura. In South India, an oil bath is taken in the morning and new clothes are worn.

People partake of sweetmeats. They light fireworks, which is symbolic of the killing of Narakasura. They greet one another joyously and ask, "Have you had your Ganges bath?"

This refers to the oil bath that morning, as it is regarded as purifying as a bath in the holy Ganges. I strongly believe that everything happens by the Will of God and as one door closes, another opens.

I have no hesitation in saying that each one of us is intimately attached to the soil of this beautiful country. The spiritual and physical oneness we all share with this common homeland explains the depth of the pain we all carried in our hearts as we saw our country tear itself apart in terrible conflict, and as we saw it spurned, outlawed and isolated by the people of the world, precisely because it had become the universal base of the practice of racism and racial oppression.

This is the true spirit of reconciliation. Peace and harmony have dawned over our country. We call for tolerance in religious and cultural activities undertaken by all in this beloved country. Accept each one as a brother, sister or a child of God.

Together we can stand united and let Peace Prevail on our sacred soil of South Africa. Today, as we celebrate the legacy of Mdlokombane, I pay special tribute to my King, His Majesty King Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu, Bayethe! Hlanga Lomhlabathi, Hlanga Lesizwe, Zulu EliPhezulu, King of the Zulu Nation, to have embraced Diwali for ten consecutive years.

His Majesty was indeed a true leader in the fight against poverty amongst our people. During this historic day, I pay my respects and salute Mdlokombane, whom I consider to be one of the greatest Kings of our land since the reign of King Shaka kaSenzangakhona.

His Majesty has been the most consistent voice and campaigner for peace and unity among his people. It is largely due to his ceaseless commitment to peace that relative stability and peace has come to the province of KwaZulu-Natal.

I pay special tribute to Bayede, King Misuzulu kaZwelithini and Indlunkulu Mawewe for lovingly agreeing to host today's event here at Emashobeni Royal Palace.

I know that nothing troubles His Majesty more than strife among his people; I urge all, more especially in the province of KwaZulu-Natal, to give His Majesty the gift he will cherish for the rest of his life - the gift of enduring peace.

We shall always remember this day, and this day alone shall go down in history. It's a beginning to a prosperous nation and a united nation that King Shaka wanted, under the guidance of our King, Bayede!

I conclude in the words of Sri Swami Sivananda: I would like to emulate the teachings of my Divine Master Sri Swami Sivananda, given by him in the following words, and I quote: "To see God in all names and forms. To serve the poor and needy, seeing God in them. To relieve the pains, sorrows and sufferings of others. to share what you have with others. To be a cosmic friend and a cosmic benefactor, a friend of the poor, the forlorn, the helpless and the fallen, is my creed."

I try to practise this advice of my Masters in my own small way to contribute to the upliftment of mankind. May you have a pleasant evening and may the Grace of God be upon you all.

May the Supreme Light of lights enlighten your understanding! May you all prosper gloriously on the material as well as on the spiritual planes!

Prince Ishwar Ramlutchman Mabheka Zulu is the Royal Ambassador for Social Cohesion and Economic Development