article_snippet.sent: Zwelithini is given R54million (about £3million) by the South African government each year .
article_snippet.sent: But despite opposition politicians hitting out at the huge amounts lavished upon King Zwelithini and Zwelithini family, it is unlikely to change.
article_snippet.sent: As South Africa celebrates 21 years of democracy next week, the largesse enjoyed by Zwelithini at the taxpayers' expense appears assured – at least while controversial president and fellow Zulu Jacob Zuma clings to power.
article_snippet.sent: But Zwelithini ran out of money last year following a particularly expensive few months, and had to beg for more funds - which the government, led by fellow Zulu Jacob Zuma (left), approved .
article_snippet.sent: In return, Zwelithini enjoys a budget far higher than South Africa's other royal households and chiefdoms.
article_snippet.sent: Indeed, the South African government waved through an extra two million rand (£110,600) just last month, to help Zwelithini get to the end of the financial year.
article_snippet.sent: What's more, Zwelithini allowance looks set to rise to R63million (£3.5million) a year by 2017.
article_snippet.sent: And none of this takes into account the amount the South African taxpayer is having to shoulder thanks to the inflammatory speech Zwelithini gave in March. '