Durban - The cultural ritual of entering the kraal by Zulu King Misuzulu kaZwelithini will be a significant moment in the history of the Zulu nation as it will be the first time this will be carried out by a king who has emerged from two monarchs in modern history.
This is the view of cultural experts who were commenting ahead of tomorrow’s event where King Misuzulu will enter the kraal at the KwaKhangela-Mankengane Palace in Nongoma.
This is because King Misuzulu is the son of King Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu and Queen Mantfombi Shiyiwe Dlamini-Zulu, who is the princess from the kingdom of eSwatini.
The event is expected to be attended by amakhosi, izinduna, amabutho (warriors) and scores of people marking the first time for many to see their king.
“The symbolism of entering the kraal is that the king will be seeking blessings and protection from previous kings and ancestors while also announcing his arrival to the throne, so it is quite a symbolic moment in the Zulu nation’s history,” said cultural expert Dr Maxwell Shamase.
He said the ritual was similar to the one performed during traditional weddings where a bride is introduced to the ancestors of her new family.
“The belief is that once the bride has been introduced to the ancestors of her new family she enjoys their protection because she is now part of the family.”
He added that tomorrow’s ritual carried a deep spiritual meaning.
“By performing this ritual the king will enjoy protection from both kingdoms,” Shamase stressed. He said Prince Simakade’s actions last week whereby he performed a similar ritual had made a mockery of the important ritual, creating unnecessary confusion.
Another cultural expert, from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Professor Sihawukele Ngubane, pointed out that King Misuzulu’s arrival to the throne was an end result of a process that started before he was born.
“The king is not nominated or elected, but is born. King Misuzulu may not be the first-born son of his father, but by virtue of the fact that his mother is a princess, it was already written in the stars that a king would be born out of such a union,” said Ngubane.
He also pointed out that King Misuzulu would be the first king to enter the kraal before his coronation, stressing that while its symbolism was significant, it should not be overplayed.
“Mdlokombane (the late king Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu) never entered the kraal but reigned over the nation for almost 50 years.”
He also agreed that Prince Simakade Zulu had created confusion.
“When royal family members do such things as witnessed last weekend, it creates confusion for those who regard themselves as Zulus,” Ngubane said.
Economic Development MEC and leader of government business, Siboniso Duma, is expected to be one of many who will attend tomorrow’s festivities.
Meanwhile, as preparations for the festivities continued, yet another candidate in the Zulu royal succession has been named by Prince Mbonisi Zulu.
Prince Buzabazi kaZwelithini, one of the late king’s sons, was introduced at a press briefing in Fourways, Johannesburg yesterday by Prince Mbonisi.
He was introduced to the media as the “heir apparent” to the Zulu throne, adding to the chaos that has characterised the battle for succession since the king’s death last year.
The prince is known to have avoided the limelight over the years, only emerging in recent months to contest the validity of the will which declared King Misuzulu as the rightful heir.
He is the fourth son of Queen Buhle KaMathe, the late King Goodwill Zwelithini’s second wife.