Nomsa Maseko of BBC News Africa is reporting, Misuzulu ka Zwelithini has been crowned Zulu king in a traditional ceremony in South Africa. After a year-long battle over the rightful heir to the throne, Zwelithini, the 48-year-old is the son of the previous king, was named Zulu King.
Maseko reports:
“Thousands of people gathered Saturday (August 20, 2022) for the traditional coronation at KwaKhangelamankengane Palace, where the king entered the sacred cattle kraal to invoke his ancestors before being announced to both the living and the dead as the new Zulu monarch.
He was expected to wear the hide of the lion that he hunted for the royal event, a key feat in proving he is indeed the chosen one. More than 10 cows were slaughtered in preparation for the festivities.”
Next month, Zwelithini will participate in a state ceremony hosted by the government.
The Zulu Kingdom is best known for defeating British troops during the 1879 battle of Isandlwana. The throne has no formal political power, but a fifth of South Africa’s population is Zulu and its monarchy remains hugely influential with a yearly taxpayer-funded budget of more than $4.9m (£3.5m).
Read more about the new Zulu King at BBC Africa.
