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South Africa Welcomes New King of the Zulus

Among Africa's traditional leaders, the King of the Zulu nation is one of those who has iconic status - a result both of the success of its founding king, Shaka kaSenzangakhona, in uniting disparate clans to found the nation 200 years ago, and then of the nation's warriors inflicting a legendary defeat on British troops with vastly superior weapons at the Battle of Isandlwana in 1879.

The British Empire went on to overwhelm the Zulu kingdom, exiling two of Shaka's successors at times, but the Zulu monarchy still enjoys the respect of South Africa's biggest ethnic group, and the celebration of the coronation of the newest king, Misuzulu Sinqobile kaZwelithini, drew a large crowd to Durban's biggest stadium on Saturday.

King Misuzulu, the 9th king of the 11-million-strong Zulu nation, entered the stadium to wild cheering and ululation, reports Lungani Zungu of Scrolla Africa. Maidens clad in traditional gear ululated as amabutho (warriors) dashed up and down the stadium chanting traditional songs, wielding sticks, spears, and shields, made of cowhide.

The Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town, Thabo Makgoba, anointed the new king with oil, and President Cyril Ramaphosa handed over a certificate in which the South African government recognised Misuzulu as king, despite rival claimants to the throne.

An estimated 48,000 people attended the spectacle - including former South African heads of state, Thabo Mbeki and Jacob Zuma, King Mswati III of Eswatini, former president Ian Khama of Botswana and kings and queens from other parts of the continent.

  • South Africa:  New Zulu King Crowned

    Scrolla, 29 October 2022

    It was truly a coronation fit for a king at Moses Mabhida Stadium where thousands gathered during the handing over of the certificate of recognition by President Cyril Ramaphosa to… Read more »

  • South Africa:  Ramaphosa Commits Govt to Working With Zulu King

    SAnews.gov.za, 29 October 2022

    President Cyril Ramaphosa has committed government to work with King Misuzulu KaZwelithini to change the lives of the people, and transform rural areas into places of development… Read more »

  • South Africa:  Misuzulu's Long Journey to the Throne

    Scrolla, 27 October 2022

    Forty-eight years ago, a child was born to the powerful and influential Zulu and eSwatini royal families and was aptly named Misuzulu Sinqobile kaZwelithini. Read more »

SA Govt

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa formally recognised King Misuzulu kaZwelithini as the new king of the 200-year-old Zulu nation in Durban, confirming the king's traditional coronation which took place in August 2022.

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