By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
King Mswati lll says it is common that several people step forward with the hope that they will be chosen as successor when a king passes away.
Today’s coronation of Zulu King, Misuzulu kaZwelithini, marks the end of royal family succession battles. This is according to Eswatini Monarch, King Mswati lll.
Addressing large crowds at Durban’s Moses Mabhida Stadium, Mswati lll urged those questioning King Misuzulu’s legitimacy to back off.
Today’s historic event leaves no shred of doubt as to who the legitimate King of the Zulu nation is.
“After this important occasion, there should be no one doubting who the Zulu nation is, “said King Mswati lll, who is also King Misuzulu’s uncle.
King Misuzulu kaZwalithini, who concluded the first of his two-legged coronation process when he performed the entering the kraal ritual in August, received a certificate of recognition from President Cyril Ramaphosa.
Zulu kings are descendants of King Shaka, the 19th-century leader still revered for having united a large swathe of the country as the Zulu nation, which fought bloody battles against the British colonisers.
King Zwelithini, who died after more than 50 years in charge, left six wives and at least 28 children.
Misuzulu is the first son of Zwelithini’s third wife, who he designated as regent in his will.
The queen however died suddenly a month after Zwelithini, leaving a will naming Misuzulu as the next king — a development that did not go down well with other family members.
The new monarch’s first name means “strengthening the Zulus” but his path to the crown has not been smooth.