Jimu News reporter Li Lili Hu Xiuwen
After a year-long family feud, on August 20, local time, Misuzulu Kazvelitini was crowned King of Zulu at a traditional ceremony in South Africa. He was the son of the old king, but some members of the royal family believed he was not the rightful heir, believing that the late king's will was forged.
A king without political power
On August 20, local time, thousands of people attended the traditional coronation ceremony, and the 48-year-old Missuzulu announced to the crowd that he would become the new Zulu king.
Thousands gather for the coronation of the New Zulu King (Credit: BBC)
Born in September 1974, Misuzulu married two wives and had three sons. In preparation for the celebrations, more than 10 cows were slaughtered locally.
The Zulu king had no secular political power, but still had significant influence in South Africa. One-fifth of South Africa's population is Zulu, and taxpayers fund the royal family with a budget of more than $4.9 million each year.
Misuzuru (Source: BBC)
The Global Times reported that in the early 19th century, the Zulu chief Shakar unified the various ministries and established the Zulu Kingdom, becoming the first Zulu king. The King of Zulu is the symbol and representative of the Zulu people. In contemporary South Africa, the Zulu king no longer holds secular royal power, but is responsible for the cultural and religious affairs of his people. The South African Constitution also protects the rights of the Zulu royal family, and the government department has a special body to deal with the affairs of the Zulu royal family.
The Zulus annihilated thousands of British troops with spears
The Zulu Kingdom has a glorious history and is famous for its defeat of the British at the Battle of Isandlwana in 1879.
On 22 January 1879, the Zulu Army in South Africa launched an ambush against the British colonial army, killing thousands of British troops. The British were armed with modern weapons such as rifles and mountain guns, while the Zulus used cold weapons, with most soldiers holding iron spears and cowhide shields, as well as some muskets and outdated rifles.
The Zulu army was inferior in weapons, but they were far outnumbered by the British. Some 20,000 Zulu troops eventually killed more than 1,300 British soldiers. The battle was a decisive victory for the Zulus. The British suffered the worst defeat against an extremely poorly equipped native enemy.
A year-long battle for the throne
In March 2021, the old King Zvelitini died of illness in hospital. He had 6 wives and 28 children and ruled the Zulu kingdom for more than half a century.
The old king reigned for more than 50 years (Source: BBC)
In his will, the old king appointed his third wife, Queen Mantefonby Dlamini Zulu, as regent, a role of caretaker before appointing a successor. Some argue that the will is controversial.
Queen Mantefonbi was from the royal family, her father was the late King Sobza II of Eswatini and her brother was King Mswati III of Eswatini. Eswatini is a landlocked country in southeastern Africa. Thus, Mantefonby had the highest status among the king's wives.
Mantefonby's marriage was conditional on the fact that after the death of her husband, her eldest son would become the first in line to the throne. Thus, when she died a month after her regency, her eldest son, Misuzulu Kazvelitini, was seen as a candidate for power. In her will, Misuzulu was also appointed as her successor.
However, the king's other two sons have been vying for the throne. The royal family was divided into three factions, each of which supported their favored prince.
Coronation is difficult
Back in March, South Africa's president officially recognized Misuzulu Kazvelitini as the new Zulu king, but Misuzulu's brothers asked the court to stop the coronation. However, the court rejected the application and allowed the coronation process to continue.
Just a week before the traditional coronation of the would-be King Misuzulu, his half-brother Prince Simacad was proclaimed the new monarch by a small number of supporters in the royal family.
Even on the day of the coronation, Missuzulu's half-sister filed an urgent motion with the court to try to prevent the coronation. The princess said her father's will could have been forged. The motion was dismissed by the court.
Misuzulu received strong support from other members of the family, who believed that custom made Misuzuru the rightful heir.
The battle for the throne continues, but the legitimate king will be formally inaugurated at a public coronation on September 24, a public holiday in South Africa, thus ending the long-standing dispute.
(Source: Jimu News)
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