No stick fighting, no violence order for Heritage Day event
VIOLENCE will not be tolerated at the Umkhosi We-Lembe celebrations which are expected to draw a massive crowd at Moses Mabhida Stadium today.
That was the warning from Induna Phumazidle Majola who will be leading the amabutho (Zulu warriors) as part of the Heritage Day celebrations King Goodwill Zwelithini and President Jacob Zuma are expected to attend today, along with a host of dignitaries.
Induna Majola also made it clear that there would be no stick-fighting.
Invited African kings include King Mphezeni of Zambia, King Umbelwa of Malawi, King Mswati of Swaziland and King Kgoshi Mampuru of Limpopo, as well as ambassadors such as the consulate general of India, SK Rawat.
Last night, spokesman for the KwaZulu-Natal premier’s office, Ndabezinhle Sibiya said the annual commemoration celebrated the life of King Shaka and would be the first time the event was being held at Moses Mabhida Stadium.
“This ceremony is significant as the province will be celebrating 200 years after King Shaka ascended to the throne,” said Sibiya, while the Zulu royal household will also be using the occasion to celebrate King Goodwill Zwelithini’s 45 years as leader of the Zulu nation.
“The theme of the celebrations was “From King Shaka to King Goodwill Zwelithini, a journey of our heritage.”
The premier’s office said a colourful Heritage Day parade was scheduled to leave from Kingsmead grounds at 7.30am to make its way to Moses Mabhida Stadium. – additional reporting Nontuthuko Ngubane, Isolezwe.