King Misuzulu Kazwelithini’s Coronation And Assurance Of Unity Among His People
NONGOMA – Earlier on Saturday, Misuzulu was officially introduced to his ancestors as king of the Zulu nation – through the kraal-entering ceremony. The event was held at his late mother Queen Mantfombi’s palace – KwaKhangelamankengane with thousands in attendance.
When speaking about the significance of the day – he also promised his people have reunited.
This as the Zulu King’s ascension to the throne is still not welcomed by some of his relatives. But the King is promising his people that unity now prevails.
“Today my people this is a very big day for the Zulu people and history, and I promise you all that from today onwards we are united,” he said, addressing scores of people at the ceremony.
King Misuzulu faces a number of challenges. According to Zakhele Ndlovu, a senior political science lecturer at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Misuzulu will have to assert his authority as the new king.
“He will also have to navigate many treacherous roads, with many minefields. First of all, we cannot separate the Zulu monarch from politics. The Zulu king has tremendous influence and political players are not to get this influence on their sides. The ANC in KZN is not happy with that and will try to get King Misuzulu to be on their side. It will be interesting how this plays out.” Shares Ndlovu
King Misuzulu also faces the conundrum of the Ingonyama Trust and its land. His father, Goodwill Zwelithini, was the sole trustee. Entrusting such a huge tract of land to an entity that has proven to be unaccountable and makes the millions of people who live on the land subservient to the wishes of the trust and amakhosi and izinduna in their areas.
Also in the palace for the coronation were members of the Ndebele royal family, who have a strong connection to the amaZulu as their founder, King Mzilikazi, was one of King Shaka’s fearless generals. After a fallout with Shaka, Mzilikazi fled with his unit to modern-day Limpopo province and southern Zimbabwe to begin his own conquest and establish his own kingdom.
Members of the Ndebele royal family said the coronation of Misuzulu gives them hope that they, too, will be able to crown their own king and revive the kingdom started by Mzilikazi.
Although his traditional coronation has been completed, some of his siblings are likely to continue to challenge his ascension in the courts, previous bids to stop his coronation have failed.