A video circulating on social media has sparked widespread debate after a Zulu traditional leader claimed that South Africa is wealthy enough to pay every citizen $1 million annually for the rest of their lives, arguing that South Africans would not need to work if the country’s natural resources were properly managed.
In the video, the chief argues that South Africa possesses immense mineral wealth capable of transforming the lives of its citizens.
Watch the video:
According to the speaker, the country’s resources could provide lifelong financial security for every South African.
“South Africa can pay South Africans $1 million every year for the rest of their lives,” he says in the video.
He continues by suggesting that, assuming an average life expectancy of 70 years, the country could provide each citizen with enough money to sustain themselves throughout their lifetime.
Suggests Foreign Workers Could Fill Jobs
The traditional leader also proposes a model similar to that of the Gulf states, where he claims foreign nationals perform much of the workforce while citizens benefit from the country’s wealth.
“We don’t even need to work,” he says. “We can have these illeg@l immigr@nts coming to South Africa to work for us, like in Dubai.”
He adds that, in his view, indigenous South Africans should be the primary beneficiaries of the country’s natural resources.
Presidential Vision
The speaker goes on to say that, if elected president, he could transform South Africa within a year.
“If I were to be given a chance as president in this country, in 12 months I would transform this country to be the second most beautiful country in the world—better than America,” he says.
He argues that South Africa’s mineral wealth should remain within the country, saying miners and farm workers would be more motivated if they believed the proceeds from gold and diamonds directly benefited South Africans.
“I would make a miner passionate about going six kilometres underground to look for gold because that gold, when he finds it, will never leave this country.
That diamond will never leave this country,” he says.
Claims Draw Debate
The remarks have generated discussion online, with supporters praising the chief’s emphasis on resource ownership and economic nationalism, while critics have questioned the practicality of his proposals and the economic assumptions behind them.
South Africa remains one of the world’s leading producers of minerals, including platinum, gold, manganese and chrome, although economists note that government revenues are influenced by a range of factors including production costs, taxation, global commodity prices, public spending obligations and the overall size of the economy.
The identity of the speaker and the context in which the remarks were made have not been independently verified.
