The reign of Misuzulu officially begins
Ramaphosa booed, Zuma cheered at Durban ceremony
Immediately after King Misuzulu kaZwelithini was handed the document formally recognising him as the sole legitimate Zulu monarch, he walked to shake the hand of the man who made his coronation a reality, Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi.
The now-frail founder of the IFP had pushed hard for King Misuzulu to be the one who ascended to the throne at the historic event that President Cyril Ramaphosa described as a once-in-a-lifetime moment.
Buthelezi, 94, was top of the list of those King Misuzulu thanked when he took to the podium at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban. Others included his uncle, King Mswati III of Eswatini.
“I would like to thank those who fought for me to ascend to this throne. From Umntwana ka Phindange [Buthelezi], to my uncles in Eswatini, [including] the king.”
King Misuzulu faces a mammoth task to unite the divided Zulu royal family — some senior family members, including some of his father’s brothers, do not accept him as the rightful monarch. Some believe Prince Simakade should be king and others back Prince Buzabazi.
Outlining his plans as monarch, King Misuzulu referred to challenges that plague society — including poverty, climate change, the stalled economy and the lack of trust between the people and the government — and said his mission was to take the Zulu nation forward.
He described the throne as a covenant between the ancestors, the living and those yet to be born.
“History has chosen me at this time when the Zulu nation is facing many challenges,” the king said.
“The time is ripe to face these challenges, working with other nations. I commit to develop the country, the economy. I shall ensure our culture and heritage are protected in our constitution, and the Ingonyama Trust, which I lead, will drive rural development. I commit to the autonomy of ubukhosi [kingship].”
He paid tribute to his late father, King Goodwill Zwelithini.
“My father upheld the timeless values this nation is built upon tradition, respect, wisdom,” he said.
King Mswati told the throng it was time to end the debate about who was King Zwelithini’s rightful heir.
“Others were trying to be chancers, thinking they can take over, and they were being fooled, told they are more suitable for the throne. Today that is over. Here is the king, Misuzulu kaZwelithini. We as his uncles are happy to see the stadium so full; it shows that a king is being put on the throne,” he said.
Ramaphosa — who was booed by sections of the crowd — urged the new king to do his best to unite the Zulus.
“May your rule be one of justice, compassion, peace and unity,” he said. “It is a heavy responsibility, but also an illustrious one ... This is the bond that binds us together. Your majesty, you are the bond that binds the amaZulu nation together.”
Ramaphosa received a frosty welcome at the stadium. At one point a section of the crowd booed when his face appeared on the giant screen. He was booed again when King Misuzulu presented him with gifts.
The loudest cheers were reserved for his predecessor, Jacob Zuma.
Others in attendance included former president Thabo Mbeki, the former president of Botswana, Ian Khama, opposition leaders John Steenhuisen and Julius Malema, and government ministers.
A jovial Buthelezi could not hide his happiness and relief.
“We are grateful that the rightful heir was successfully identified and has ascended to the throne. The support of the nation sustained us. May the reign of our king be marked by hope and unity. May it be a time of healing and peace. As he begins his reign we all wish him well.”
Buthelezi asked the new king to appoint his own traditional prime minister.
Security was tight at the stadium after the US issued an alert about a possible terrorist attack in Sandton, Johannesburg.
A senior government official, who asked not to be named because he had no authority to speak publicly, said security arrangements were tightened dramatically at the last minute.
“Things were not like this yesterday; the presidency took over and changed things overnight. Security is just too tight. Perhaps they wanted to leave nothing to chance. AmaButho [Zulu warriors] had to force their way in because security would not let them onto the pitch.”
One princess in the Zulu royal family, who asked not to be named, said on Friday that preparations for the event left much to be desired.
“The royal family … said they want to manage the historic event by themselves and unfortunately they did not have the capacity. Some of the royals are having to stand in long lines with commoners,” she said.
“This is embarrassing and not the way to treat members of the royal family and African royalty.”
Another member of the royal family said about 500 VIP accreditation tags had been stolen.
“We are also being told that the accreditation tags were finished and they are not giving us tags, like this is a party. We are not attending a party. I fear that there may be a security threat.”
History has chosen me at this time when the Zulu nation is facing many challenges King Misuzulu