By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has officially handed over the certificate of recognition to King Misuzulu kaZwelithini.
This took place at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Saturday, where thousands gathered to witness the coronation of the King, and the official signification of his legitimacy as the reigning monarch of AmaZulu.
Dignitaries that graced the occasion included Deputy President David Mabuza, former presidents Jacob Zuma and Thabo Mbheki, as well as former deputy president Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka.
You are officially the King of the Zulu nation and the only king of the Zulu nation, said Ramaphosa as he handed over the certificate to the King.
Ramaphosa cautioned that the king was the latest in a long line of kings and as such the Zulu nation and the rest of South Africa was looking up to him for counsel and guidance.
“Your people look to you to lead them to a bright, glorious new future. It is a heavy responsibility, but also an illustrious one.
“Your Majesty, you are the bond that binds the AmaZulu nation together,” said Ramaphosa.
The president said among the immediate challenges that the king had to deal with was the high unemployment and gender-based violence, among many challenges.
“Millions of our people are unemployed and live in poverty. Substance abuse, crime and the abuse of women, children and the elderly are devastating our communities.
“Many of our rural areas suffer from poor services and lack of jobs. Land reform remains a huge problem,” said Ramaphosa.
He vowed that government at local, provincial and national level would continue to make several interventions to address all these challenges but would also “want to rely on you, Your Majesty, to work with us to address the problems that our people are facing on a daily basis.”
The throne had been vacant since the passing of King Misuzulu’s father King Goodwill Zwelithini in March last year.
Watch Live the proceedings below::
Video Courtesy of ENCA.