Tales of the 1%: King seeks cash for new palace for sixth wife

There’s been a lot of talk this election season about the wealth disparity in America and how the 1% are enjoying things a whole lot more than the rest of us.

But our 1% could probably take a lesson or two from the 1% of South Africa’s Zulu royalty.

Actually we’re probably not talking about 1%. We’re talking about one guy.

Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini wants the provincial government to pony up $700,000 for a new palace for his sixth wife, according to the BBC. Queen Zola Mafu, the king’s youngest wife, is forced at the moment to share a palace with another royal spouse.

The king is also seeking an additional $1.4 million to upgrade the palace of one of his other wives.

The KwaZulu Natal government, one of nine provincial administrations, has already budgeted almost $7 million for the royal family this year.

Along with his six wives, King Zwelithini has more than 25 children.

A few years ago, the king’s wives were criticized by local politicians for spending about $24,000 on designer clothes and costly holidays.

Sounds like your typical case of people being jealous of the wealthy -- a syndrome highlighted by recent comments from the world’s richest woman.

Get a grip, people. No one should have to apologize for success, especially if you had to go through all the hard work of being born into money.

If the Zulu king wants, say, a car elevator for the garage at his oceanfront mansion, that’s his business.

That’s leadership.