Stanger — KwaZulu-Natal Premier Sibusiso Ndebele has highlighted provincial projects that promote the province's heritage and praised King Shaka Zulu as an important historical figure during his Heritage Day address.

Speaking at celebrations in KwaDukuza Sports-grounds, Stanger, Premier Ndebele said the provincial government would later this year be recognizing the bequest of King Dingiswayo and the legacy of the then Zulus' king, King Dingane.

The Premier added that a Multi-Media Centre, which depicts the history of Zulu kingship and where tourists would be able to experience the cultural heritage of the Zulu people, was under construction in eMakhosini Valley outside Ulundi.

"Another more informative and generic project will be a Multi-Media Centre to be built as part of the (2010 FIFA World Cup) Moses Mabida Stadium in Durban.

"We have begun with research and consultations about commemorating the heritage of eMbo- wherein the Abambo people of Mkhize and their kings have a direct linkage with the eMbo region in central Africa, from whence they came."

In celebrating Heritage Day, the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government remembered the most recognizable historical figure in the heritage of the province and country, King Shaka.

Premier Ndebele told hundreds of people who attended the celebrations that this year marks 180 years since the death of King Shaka.

"It is a year which ends with the magical number eight. As we ponder through the history of our King, we now recall some of the historical incidents which happened during the years ending with number eight, some of which changed the course of the history of this region and province."

The Premier recalled that it was in 1818 when King Shaka defeated the powerful Zwide of the Ndwandwe, thus laying a firm foundation for the Kingdom of the Zulu. He died on 24 September 1828.

He added that in 1918 former President Nelson Mandela was born and in 1948 the current Zulu king, King Goodwill Zwelithini was born.

"So much in history can be said about the years which end with the number eight. But it all started with Shaka's defeat of Zwide in 1818."

Premier Ndebele explained that heritage was at core of Africans' identity and has played a pivotal role in reconciliation. He added that to reconcile was to come to peace with the past and one cannot reconcile unless he or she know what happened.