Misuzulu ka Zwelithini has been crowned Zulu king in South Africa following a year-long family feud. Misuzulu is the 48-year-old son of the former king, however, other royals argued the point that he was not the merited heir, and that the late king’s will be proved to be forged.
Hundreds of people gathered at the KwaKhangelamankengane Palace on Saturday for the coronation, where the king entered the sacred cattle kraal to invoke his ancestors before being crowned as the new Zulu monarch.
The King was expected to wear the hide of a lion he had hunted for the royal event, proving that he is the “chosen one.”
Former King Goodwill Zwelithini ruled for 50 years, and after his death, his will named his third wife Queen Mantfombi Dlamini Zulu as regent- she was given the highest status among the king’s other wives because her father was the late King Sobhuza II, and her brother was King Mswati III of Eswatini.
However, her first-born son would be the first in line for the throne after her husband’s passing.
Prince Misuzulu is the only person to inherit the traditional weapons belonging to his grandfather King Cyprian Bhekuzulu ka Solomon which had been viewed as approval from his grandfather that he would eventually become king, but, two of the late king’s sons have also been working their way to the throne.
In early March of this year, the President of South Africa formally acknowledged Misuzulu ka Zwelithini as the new Zulu king, however, a legal challenge came by Misuzulu’s brother, Mbonisi Zulu, however, the court overlooked this and allowed the coronation.
In September, he is scheduled to be hosted by the government for a state ceremony and King Misuzulu thus far have received support from other family members.
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