The AmaZulu team successfully defended its KZN Cup title by defeating Milford FC with a score of 2-0. This victory allows AmaZulu to start the new season while maintaining its status as the leading club in the KwaZulu-Natal province.
Despite not receiving points within the tournament, AmaZulu demonstrated its superiority by successfully retaining the KZN Cup trophy. Before reaching the final, Usuthu played against the ambitious ABC Motsepe League side, Midlands Wanderers.
Milford FC, a recently promoted Betway Premiership team, participated in the final and quickly became one of the country's bright stories. Milford earned the right to participate in the decisive match after an impressive victory over Golden Arrows, showing the necessary discipline and organization to reach the top division.
Milford brought this determination to the final and did not allow themselves to be intimidated by AmaZulu, which finished fourth in the Betway Premiership last season. Although Milford resisted strongly for a long time, physically matching AmaZulu and threatening counterattacks, Usuthu's experience and quality proved decisive.
AmaZulu managed to capitalize on crucial moments, scoring two goals and securing a 2-0 victory, thereby retaining the provincial title. This win also provides valuable momentum before the start of the new campaign, as Usuthu demonstrates that it remains a team that all other KwaZulu-Natal clubs aspire to, especially against the backdrop of expectations following a strong 2025/26 season and the integration of new players.
Meanwhile, Milford leaves the tournament with a large degree of confidence. Despite the loss in the final, their performance leading up to the decisive match and competitive play against the province's best team indicates that they possess the character and quality for a worthy start in the elite division next Saturday.
The team manager, Sipetuxolo Pupuma, noted that the defeat in the final was regrettable, but he is proud that the team reached the final in its first appearance in the Premier's Cup. 'We played three matches to get to the final, which is one more than AmaZulu, so it was good experience for us,' said Pupuma. He added that it was their first real experience interacting with major teams, and they played in their usual style. 'As I said, it's a shame we lost in the final, but it was against AmaZulu. So we have a lot to take from this.'
Xolani Ngwezi has increased his chances of returning to the mayoral post after being elected to the influential position of chairperson of his sub-region.
The mayor of the local municipality of Umhlathuze, Xolani Ngwezi, may return to his position if the IFP party maintains control over the municipality after his re-election as the party chairperson in the sub-region. Ngwezi, who was previously a Member of Parliament, recently obtained this significant role as the party prepares for local elections.
Thanks to his election as chairperson, campaigns will be led by him and his executive council, which will give him more opportunities for reappointment for a second term should the party win. Responding to his victory on Wednesday, Ngwezi thanked all comrades who entrusted him with the responsibility of leading the party for a second term.
He stated that his duty, along with the collective leadership's duty, is to guide all IFP members, unite the party, and increase its membership to keep the municipality with the party. The IFP does not announce mayoral candidates before the elections; mayors are appointed only after winning in the municipalities.
Ngwezi emphasized that with the support of the public, the IFP will continue to support infrastructure, improve the supply of centralized water and electricity, and ensure these vital services are connected to all residents. He added: 'We are determined to continue our economic growth program and create more jobs. We can truly achieve this and more, given the very solid foundation we have laid during the current term of office.'
The municipality, located on the northern coast of KwaZulu-Natal, is the second largest in the province, surpassed only by eThekwini, and has a budget of 6.4 billion rand. It is expected to be an arena of battle between the IFP, ANC, and the MK party. The municipality is considered one of the strategic territories alongside eThekwini, Munduzi in Pietermaritzburg, and Newcastle due to its large budgets.
Under Ngwezi's leadership, the municipality has consistently received clean audits since the 2021 local government elections. Last year, the municipality received an award for another clean audit for the 2024/25 financial year at the Service Excellence Awards ceremony in Durban. Ngwezi noted that consistent clean audits have contributed to increased business confidence, leading to investments of nearly 1 billion rand. Major investments include the construction of an Eskom gas power station and the expansion and relocation of the airport.
According to the mayor, these and other projects should create additional employment opportunities for local residents. The municipality is home to the Richards Bay port, the deepest in Africa. The port contributes significantly to the provincial gross domestic product through its economic activities, especially coal exports.
KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli announced the allocation of R93.5 million to modernize the Amasulu monarchy and royal court. This initiative aims to transform the institution into a future driver of economic growth, social cohesion, and financial stability in the province.
Presenting the budget mandate to the Premier's Cabinet in the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature on Tuesday, Ntuli stated that this funding is part of a broader plan to update the monarchy. It was emphasized that preserving its cultural heritage and strengthening administrative structures are necessary.
According to Ntuli, the vision for a modernized monarchy receives support from King Misuzulu Kazvelitini, who seeks to expand the institution's contribution beyond its traditional functions. Ntuli rejected the idea that tradition and development exclude each other, asserting that the monarchy can remain rooted in its heritage while becoming a more active partner in solving the province's problems.
A central element of this program is the newly established Zulu Royal Court Trust Council. This council is headed by Professor Gugugu Mazibuko and includes specialists in law, finance, cultural heritage, and policy development. Ntuli noted that the council was established to provide the institution with the necessary expertise for future development.
The council will focus its efforts on protecting the monarchy's assets, strengthening governance, and positioning the institution as a long-term participant in the province's development. As part of the plans, the Council received R93.517 million through a sub-program dedicated to supporting the king and the royal court.
The council will oversee agricultural projects and seek revenue opportunities to create a financially independent institution. One project in an advanced stage is the beef production initiative within the Royal Farms in Ulundi. Ntuli stressed that this project demonstrates how land of historical value can be used to generate income.
Furthermore, the Trust is exploring opportunities to invest in real estate, particularly student housing, to help address youth issues. The Premier stated that the monarchy can become part of the solution to these problems, acting not only as a symbol of the past but also as an active participant in solving contemporary challenges.
Nevertheless, Ntuli acknowledged that the current level of funding is insufficient to fully realize the vision for the modernization of the provincial monarchy. He clarified that this is just the beginning, and further discussions will follow both in and outside the chamber to secure the necessary resources for this process.
