The self-proclaimed head of amaHlubi in KwaZulu-Natal is using the power of technology to raise money to help compensate for the “destruction of his people’s kingdom” caused by British colonial rule, reports City Press.

Bryce Mthimkhulu’s HlubiMobile will allow the amaHlubi people to send free SMSes and make free calls to each other as long as they are on king’s network. Residents were encouraged to join to HlubiMobile by former SABC board member Andile Mbeki at a royal event held near Mthimkhulu’s estate in Eshowe on Saturday.

According to Mbeki, residents can join HlubiMobile by simply SMSing the word ‘KING’ to 48437. Thirty percent of the profits from HlubiMobile will be given back to the community, Mthimkhulu said.

The money raised from HlubiMobile will go towards the funding Mthimkhulu’s legal battle to reclaim land apparently taken from the amaHlubi kingdom in 1875 after a battle with the British army. The king is being represented by a legal team lead by Unisa law expert Khaled Qasaymeh who will present the land claim to the British High Commission in South Africa on behalf of Mthimkhulu in early 2015.

HlubiMobile is apparently just one of the Mthimkhulu main plans to raise the money needed.

City Press stated that in 2010, Mthimkhulu was not recognised as a monarch by Nhlapo Commission, which is responsible for resolving disputes over traditional leadership, leaving questions over his legitimacy as a king still being asked today.

“This is not merely about money. This is about restitution and righting of wrongs. We want the British to participate in assisting in the economic development of amaHlubi, which was halted by colonial occupation,” Mthimkhulu told City Press.

[Source – City Press, Image – Shutterstock]