Indian-Origin Furniture Maker Halts Purchase Due To Payment Issue While Zulu King Waits For Thrones
Due to the royal family’s failure to pay dues, a South African furniture maker of Indian descent has put on hold an order for two thrones for the Zulu King Misuzulu ka Zwelithini constructed from the precious tamboti wood.
In the first Zulu coronation since 1971, Misuzulu, 48, received official recognition as the Zulu King from the South African government on October 29.
Rare wood furniture maker Rajiv Singh announced that he has halted an order for two thrones for the King fashioned from the rare tamboti wood that his family has specialized in for decades as the new Zulu King was officially crowned as the leader of South Africa’s most powerful traditional monarchy.
Singh claimed that he took these actions in response to a debt for tamboti furniture valued at R100,000 (about INR 453,710) that had been given to the late King’s father Goodwill Zwelithini seven years prior but had not been paid despite numerous promises.
To recoup the funds, Singh’s father Kuber Eadev Singh, who has won international acclaim for his tamboti furniture and has given it as gifts to dignitaries and other celebrities for many years, has filed a lawsuit.
According to him, the money was needed to pay for two thrones, a table for the traditional royal staff, a seat for each of the late King Zwelithini’s seven wives, ten tables for their handbags, and three tea trays.
The king’s office was eventually served with a summons in 2017, according to Singh Senior, but this was also disregarded.
Singh, who is now in his 80s, has created some unusual tamboti wood carvings that have been sent to various British royals, including a jewelry box for the late Queen Elizabeth II of the UK.
He was sent an invitation to Prince Charles and Diana Spencer’s wedding and gave the bride a jewelry box as well.
Additionally, he has given hand-carved objects to former US presidents Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush as well as former South African presidents Thabo Mbeki and Nelson Mandela.
The tamboti hardwood used to make Singh’s products comes from trees that can live up to 1,200 years.
When tamboti is worked, it releases a sweet, spicy odor that can linger for years.
News Mania Desk
