2022 in review – The year King Misuzulu made history

It was the year of the two longest reigning monarchs, Britain and South Africa saw new blood ascend the throne.

But for South Africa, his majesty, AmaZulu King Misuzulu kaZwelithini’s ascension to the throne brought an end to legal challenges within the Zulu royal family.

The ninth Zulu King

As Prime Minister to the Zulu nation, Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi described it: Everything about the certification ceremony and the kings coronation was unprecedented.

“King Misuzulu KaZwelithini is the first monarch to be recognised since apartheid. He is the ninth Zulu King. Our kings have never been recognised, thus our King being recognised in a national ceremony was symbolic,” said Buthelezi.

Thousands of citizens and hordes of politicians gathered to witness the King’s certification ceremony at Durban’s Moses Mabhida Stadium on 29 October 2022.

ALSO READ: ‘No one will remove me from the throne’ – King Misuzulu

Dignitaries who were at the stadium to witness the King’s coronation included deputy president David Mabuza, former presidents Thabo Mbeki and Jacob Zuma, former deputy president Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka and eSwatini King Mswati lll.

Thousands of people, including Zulu regiments and izintombi (Zulu medians) had turned up to witness King Misuzulu coronation.

The King concluded the first part of his coronation in August when he performed the entering the kraal ritual in Nongoma.

ALSO READ: Zulu throne to remain vacant until specified cultural rituals are performed

Legal battles: Kings are born, not elected

King Misuzulu’s coronation brought an end to the bitter contestation for the throne.

Some Zulu royals, including the late King Goodwill Zwelithini’s brother, Prince Mbonisi Zulu challenged Misuzulu’s legitimacy as heir, by seeking to interdict his coronation.

Zwelithini’s first wife, Queen Sibongile Dlamini-Zulu, tried to claim 50% of the king’s estate, and challenged the authenticity of King Zwelithini’s testament in the Pietermaritzburg high court.

The court battles played out soon after Zwelithini’s death in March 2021, with the courts only dismissing them the following year.

King Misuzulu earned respect well before his coronation

But soon after his fathers death and amid squabbling royals baying for power, King Misuzulu faced his first challenge as a monarch.

During the 2021 July riots, the world witnessed the king in waiting, almost shyly emerging into the limelight and stepping up when the country most needed leadership.

King Misuzulu (guided by the Zulu prime minister) issued a call for order and condemned the violent looting and racially motivated attacks between Indians and Africans.

His majesty’s stance at the time, was the only semblance of leadership displayed during the nightmarish chaos that ensued.

Misuzulu’s voice drowned out a deafening silence from former president Jacob Zuma, whose arrest had sparked the unrest which lead to more than 300 deaths.

It was also worlds apart from Zuma’s children Duduzile and Duduzane Zuma who shamefully encouraged the violence and publicly weaponised the underlying tension between Indians and Africans.

Compiled by Narissa Subramoney

ALSO READ: King Misuzulu calls for perpetrators of racial violence to be arrested