Royal Coronation: Thousands Fete South Africa's New Zulu King

The throne has no formal political power, but a fifth of South Africa’s population is Zulu and its monarchy remains hugely influential.

*Thousands of people gathered at the Zulu royal palace in South Africa on Saturday [Rajesh Jantilal/AFP]*

The focal point for the event was inside the sacred cattle kraal where Misuzulu ka Zwelithini went to invoke his ancestors before being announced to both the living and the dead as the new Zulu monarch.

*Amabutho (Zulu regiments) members sing and chant in celebration of the coronation of their new King Misuzulu kaZwelithini (not pictured) on August 20, 2022 image:AFP*

“Today, the king will be acknowledged by the whole Zulu Nation,” said Misuzulu’s sister, Princess Ntandoyesizwe Zulu, 46

“It’s a great day, we are making history,” Bongani Khumalo, who was one of the warriors charged with protecting the king, told the AFP news agency.

The Zulu warriors and maidens also danced as part of the festivities.

Coronation rites

In Nongoma, lines of Zulu warriors, known as Amabuthos and holding spears and shields of animal skin, marched into the palace grounds.

Women – in pleated skirts and beaded belts or draped with fabrics bearing the effigy of the sovereign – sang and danced.

On Friday night, Misuzulu entered the palace’s “cattle kraal” where he took part in a secret rite designed to present the new monarch to his ancestors. Zulu women gather during the MisuZulu kaZwelithini's traditional crowning ceremony of the new but disputed Zulu King Misuzulu kaZwelithini IMAGE SOURCE,EPA Woman celebrating IMAGE SOURCE,AFP The king appearing in traditional attire IMAGE SOURCE, AFP

Only select members of the royal family and Amabuthos were allowed in the enclosure which is protected from curious eyes by a thick fence of tree trunks.

“It’s a holy place, we can’t reveal to the world what is happening there,” said Muntomuhle Mcambi, 34, an amaButho.

Earlier this week, the soon-to-be king also killed a lion at a nearby reserve – in one of the last steps before the coronation.

*People sing and chant in celebration of the coronation of their new King Misuzulu [Phill Magakoe/AFP]*

Family spat

His path to the crown has not been smooth. King Zwelithini left six wives and at least 28 children when he died last year.

Misuzulu is the first son of Zwelithini’s third wife, who he designated as regent in his will. But the queen died suddenly a month later, leaving a will naming Misuzulu as the next king – a development that did not go down well with other branches of the family.King of Amazulu nation Misuzulu holds a traditional stick and shield as he stands with Zulu regiments during his coronation on Saturday [Phill Magakoe/AFP]

Queen Sibongile Dlamini, the late king’s first wife, has backed her son Prince Simakade Zulu as the rightful heir. Some of the late king’s brothers have put forward a third prince as their candidate for the throne.

Queen Sibongile’s legal bid to challenge the succession was revived on Friday as she was granted the right to appeal a previous unfavourable ruling.

On Saturday, two of her daughters filed an urgent application to stop all rituals pending the appeal.

“Those who are Zulu and know the traditions know who is the king,” said Themba Fakazi, an adviser to the previous ruler who supports Misuzulu.

The next Zulu monarch will inherit a fortune and tap into a rich seam of income. Zwelithini received some 71 million rand ($4.2m) a year from the government and owned several palaces and other properties.

A royal trust manages almost three million hectares (7.4 million acres) of land – an area about the size of Belgium.

President Cyril Ramaphosa, who in March recognised Misuzulu as the rightful king, is to formally certify the crowning at a ceremony in the coming months.

Sources: Aljazeeera and BBC