A New Zulu King Is Crowned Amidst Succession Dispute
At KwaKhangelamankengane Palace in South Africa this weekend, thousands of people gathered for the coronation of Misuzulu ka Zwelithini as the new Zulu monarch. Though the throne has no formal political power, the king is an extremely influential figure in South African society.
After the death of King Goodwill Zwelithini ka Bhekuzulu in March 2021, there have been disputes over who should inherit the throne; two other sons, Simakade ka Zwelithini and Buzabazi ka Zwelithini, have argued they have a claim to the position. (The late king Goodwill had six wives and several sons.) Yet, per BBC, in March 2022, Misuzulu ka Zwelithini—the king's first-born son—was formally recognized by South Africa's president Cyril Ramaphosa as the new Zulu king.
The traditional coronation ceremony took place this weekend. During the ceremony, a ritual called ukungena esibayeni, where the king enters the royal cattle enclosure, took place. According to the BBC, entering "the sacred cattle kraal to invoke his ancestors," he was announced as the new king.
South African journalist Ziyanda Ngcobo shared a video of the moment he emerged from the sacred space:
[WATCH] The moment #KingMisuZuluKaZwelithini emerged from the sacred space within his kraal. @Newzroom405 pic.twitter.com/gMwcXfYKv9
— Ziyanda N (@ZiyandaNgcobo) August 20, 2022
Dancing and singing also took place during the ceremony, along with demonstrations by Zulu warriors who pledged their allegiance. Some spectators wore garments printed with the image of the new king.
“I know that you are aware of the state of the royal family in recent times. I request that whatever you hear in the media, and the comments being made by those disputing the throne, you should hear them but you should not listen to them,” Misuzulu said in a speech to the gathered crowd, per the Associated Press.
"Today the Zulu nation starts a new chapter," he continued. "I promise I will work to unite the Zulu nation."
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