By Simpiwe Piliso

Zulu monarch King Goodwill Zwelithini's relative, Prince Melizwe Dlamini III, has his sights set on becoming a property mogul.

The controversial prince, one of 11 Zulu traditional leaders who challenged Zwelithini's throne by demanding to be declared kings with the same status, has bought real estate agency Seeff's Umhlanga branch.

The lucrative branch was acquired through his Insikayesizwe Group of companies.

"Property brokerage services are not a terrain explored much by previously disadvantages people in this country," he said last week.

Seeff Properties chairman Samuel Seeff said: "South African real estate has had a very pale face for far too long. We welcome this opportunity, which will be considered as a forerunner for many others to follow."

Founded in 1964, Seeff Properties has more than 255 branches, and about 1 100 agents countrywide.

Seeff's Umhlanga branch sells properties in some of Durban's most sought-after suburbs, including Glenashley, Gateway, La Lucia, Mount Edgecombe, Somerset Park, Sunningdale, Umdloti and Um- hlanga.

Seeff said: "This area covers some of South Africa's best property investments, ranging from high-end residences and office parks to luxurious hotels and lodges."

In 2007, Zwelithini told hundreds of amakhosi, who had gathered at his offices in Nongoma, that he had received several calls from people urging him to declare war against 11 chiefs wanting to be declared kings with the same status as himself.

He declared the move by the "chiefs" as a threat posed to the unity of the Zulu kingdom.

The 11 chiefs had applied to the Commission on Traditional Leadership Disputes and Claims to be declared kings.

Appointed by former president Thabo Mbeki in 2004, the commission was asked to investigate disputes over chieftainships and kingships spanning a period of about 80 years.

Zwelithini, who was shocked that Prince Dlamini also wanted to be recognised as a king, could have viewed the challenge as a threat to his royal budget.

Often referred to as South Africa's most pampered monarch, he was recently allocated about R40-million for his household expenses for the year, and about R60-million to maintain and repair his palaces, by the KwaZulu-Natal government.

Dlamini is a blood relative of the Zulu royal house because his grandmother is a Zulu princess.

Source: Business Times