By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
King Misuzulu KaZwelithini has concluded his first public speech after taking the throne by asking God to bless his nation.
After entering the royal kraal on Saturday, and performing the necessary rituals, Misuzulu came out fully dressed as king.
He was joined by a handful of royal elders.
Men and women in colourful traditional outfits assembled outside the marble palace on the hills of Nongoma, KwaZulu-Natal.
Lines of Zulu warriors, known as amaButho, and holding spears and shields, marched into the palace grounds. Women sang and danced.
King Misuzulu’s coronation went ahead despite an urgent application to interdict by Queen Sibongile Dlamini-Zulu’s daughters – Princesses Ntandoyenkosi Zulu and Ntombizosuthu Zulu-Duma.
They claimed that the will of their late father, King Goodwill Zwelithini, had been forged.
The princesses were seeking to halt King Misuzulu entering the kraal.
Queen Sibongile Dlamini, the late king’s first wife, has backed her son Prince Simakade Zulu as the rightful heir.
However the Pietermaritzburg High Court has struck of the roll the urgent application to interdict the King Misizulu from performing the ritual of entering the sacred kraal at KwaKhangalemankengane palace.
Members of other royal households from within the continent also descended on the Zulu royal palace to offer their well-wishes.
King M’Mbelwa from Malawi offered congratulatory messages to the Zulu king and his nation.
“Today we are witnessing the settling of the dust in the Zulu land. Your majesty, the people that did not support you and the people that supported you are all your children, do not differentiate them. Bring them together all of them, you are the father today.”
King Mpezeni of Zambia also sent a representative from his royal house to wish King Misuzulu well.
“Inkosi Mpezeni of Zambia, is overwhelmed with joy to be here with you so he says I can’t speak, I’m emotionally touched by the spectacular event that you have organised.”
King Misuzulu said today’s critical ritual was even more important that his coronation next month in Durban at Moses Mabhida Stadium.
The Zulu King said its a historic day that came after difficult times and pain experienced by the nation. He says he is prepared to lead the nation.
King Misuzulu added that he appreciates the support he got from the royal family, who supported him all the way until he fully ascended to the throne. He expressed great joy that Queen Zola Mafu, the youngest widow of the late King Goodwill Zwelithini, was the only one who attended his ceremony. The rest shunned it.
He says the way forward is now clear. He pledges to lead his people even during difficult times. He says since he has been the anointed one, he will lead with diligence.
King Misuzulu told the Zulu nation that they should listen to those who are fighting him for the throne, but not entirely. He said in Zulu “Nibezwe kodwa ningabalaleli…”there is one King. He then preached unity in the nation.
King Misuzulu thanked President Cyril Ramaphosa for recognising him as the official King of the Zulu nation. He says it was an act of courage.