Turning a new page
MORE than 2500 delegates, government officials and royals from the African continent were in attendance at the Moses Mabhida Stadium yesterday.
The first to arrive was King Asante from Ghana. He was among several African monarchs who attended the ceremony.
King Bulelani Lobhengula Mzilikazi Khumalo from Zimbabwe told the Sunday Tribune that the ceremony was a showcase of how tradition and culture were still valued.
“This clearly shows that we love and respect who we are,” he said.
Chief Zwelivelile Mandla Mandela, grandson of the late president Nelson Mandela, said it was a privilege to witness the historic moment. He said it reminded him of the late King Zwelithini kabhekuzulu and his late grandfather.
“This is a great celebration, to see one of our own coming into the ranks. King Misuzulu took over a long rich legacy of his father and grandfather King Solomon.”
Mandela said the relationship between the two families dated back to when Mandela used to be King Solomon’s legal adviser.
He said his grandfather used to invite the late King Solomon to the Mandela house on Vilakazi Street in Soweto.
“It is a promising turning point to see that royal families are setting themselves up with our political delegates,” said Mandela.
Kwazulu-natal premier Nomusa Dube-ncube said the
event was the turning of an important page.
“A new chapter in a fascinating book in which reside the great tales of our kingdom. We embark on this exciting journey as a nation in which we take part in the ascendancy to the throne of our king whose name is King Misuzulu,” she said.
“Our hopes for a better and fruitful future are raised aloft today as you take the rod to continue being the light