KZN to celebrate Umkhosi Welembe

UP to 40 000 people are expected to attend Umkhosi Welembe which this year marks 200 years of the unification of the Zulu nation.

Tomorrow’s event at Moses Mabhida Stadium will also celebrate 45 years of King Goodwill Zwelithini on the throne.

KwaZulu-Natal Premier, Willies Mchunu, said this year’s event was a huge milestone.

“…We only hope that this celebration will seek to strengthen the unity of this nation and all KZN citizens so that we can all work together to move our province forward.”

Mchunu thanked the king for his “wise leadership” and would always continue to seek his guidance “as we continue serving the citizens of KwaZulu-Natal”.

He called on the people of the province to come out in their numbers to witness “this historic day”.

Dignitaries from Africa, the US and the UK have shown interest in Umkhosi Welembe and are expected to attend, while the Provincial Executive Council will be part of the formal cultural programme, said the Arts and Culture Department yesterday.

Transport

The department has made available about 380 buses to transport people from around the province and had been in discussions with the Passenger Rail Agency of SA to make trains available from KwaDukuza, KwaMashu and uMlazi.

The celebration, commemorating the establishment of the Zulu Kingdom, was previously held at King Shaka’s gravesite in KwaDukuza.

The department said strict security measures would be enforced to ensure the safety of everyone. It strongly discouraged the practice of umgangela, or stick fighting, as a sign of respect for the day.

The public is advised to take note of the event as it will enforce traffic restrictions in the Moses Mabhida Stadium precinct.

Arts and Culture MEC Bongi Sithole-Moloi said: “Our generation is fortunate to witness this historic milestone.

“Celebrating 200 years since King Shaka ascended to his throne is a historic moment that we must all take pride in and celebrate. September 24 belongs to everyone who lives in this country.

“We invite everyone in our province to come join us as we celebrate the life and times of a great leader.”

Umkhosi Welembe is a multi- cultural, socially cohesive event open to the public.

It is being held in partnership with the provincial government, eThekwini Municipality and the royal household.

The programme for the day will begin at 9am, with Shembe congregants hosting a prayer session with King Zwelithini at the stadium.

Parade

At the same time an inter-cultural parade will make its way from Sahara Stadium to Moses Mabhida.

The multicultural parade will include Burundian drummers, traditional Nigerian dance group, Indian dancers, and young maidens.

At 10am Amabutho (Zulu warriors) will undertake a traditional parade from the People’s Park to Moses Mabhida, singing Amahubo and traditional songs.”