Peace philanthropist Ishwar Ramlatchman, also known as Prince Mabheka Zulu of the AmaZulu Royal Household, has been recognised by one of Durban’s biggest and historically black church movements.
Inkosi Mduduzi ‘’Nyazilwezulu’’ Shembe, leader of the Nazareth Baptist Church (Ebuhleni faction), called on Ramlutchman and attended the Sivananda annual inter-faith peace function in Empangeni last week.
The KwaZulu-Natal businessman and social entrepreneur, Ramlutchman, adopted son of the late and longest-reigning Zulu monarch, King Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu, who died of Covid-19 related complications, aged 70, earlier this year, presented the visiting church leader with a framed copy of the king’s official portrait.
He began the peace prayer campaigns seven years ago and has funded the installation of the Sivananda Peace Pillars at the 1860 Indian Indentured Monument in Belvedere, Tongaat, in 2010, during the 150th anniversary of Indian arrival in KZN on 16 November 1860. The businessman later installed the peace pillars at the 150 year-old-old Shri Mariammen Temple in Mount Edgecombe.
At last week’s interfaith peace prayer, Reverend Mjadu recalled how Ramlutchman had embraced the Shembe clan in his youth and became a friend of the church when he witnessed the building of two baptismal centres by iconic Indian socio-spiritual leader, His Holiness, Sri Swami Sahajananda of the Sivananda Centre: ‘’We have come a long way. Ishwar Ramlutchman at a very young age become a friend to the church which saw the building of two baptismal centres through Sri Swami Sahajananda decades ago. This prayer day is unique because it is the first ever prayer that Shembe has attended, hosted by Ramlutchman, who is Hindu. This is historic coming together highlights our oneness.’’
Ramlutchman added: “Since the outbreak of Covid-19, the recent social unrest, violence, death and destruction and the political killings during the local government election, we are living in uncertain times, but we must not lose faith and continue to reach out to our fellow communities.
“We need work doubly hard to live in harmony as communities and the only way is to accept each other and understand each other’s culture and traditions is through promoting inter-faith cooperation, social cohesion and we must steer clear of racism”.
Relations between the two socio-religious organisations began between Swami Sahajananda and the church’s founder, Holiness M V Shembe, several decades ago.‘’We need a counter-force to promote peace and began working together as diverse but unified communities.’’ The special gathering was underscored by speeches, motivational talks, music, hymns and tradition dance. that is performed.
In August this year, Ramlutchman received honorary degrees from the USA’s the National Congregational School of Theology. Development Church, presented to him by King Goodwill Zwelithini at a special ceremony at the Umfolozi Casino Hotel Resort in Empangeni, for promoting Indian-Zulu relations and strethening cultural and economc ties between South Africa and India. Ramlutchman is the executive vice-president of the Global Organisation of People of Indian Origin (Gopio International).
