‘Women went to war to build this nation. Stop warring against them’: Zulu king

King Goodwill Zwelithini used the commemoration of the death of King Shaka to remind the Zulu nation of the role played by women in the many wars that led to its formation.

King Shaka died on September 22 1828.

The king believes highlighting this part of history, which he said is neglected by Zulu historians, will assist in the fight against patriarchal norms that have led to the scourge of abuse of women and children.

“When we speak of Zulu victory during colonial wars, we are not talking about the regiments which were made up of men only, but women too. It is important that we commemorate Zulu (King Shaka) by remembering this, because sometimes historians do not mention that King Shaka had women playing an important role in those wars.

“We also had women regiments and in those camps. The men did not rape nor kill those women, and those characteristics were present in the history that built the Zulu nation. Who removed them?”

He said it was a mistake to erase this part of history and called on men to respect women and children.

The king said violent and sexual crimes against women, children and the elderly were a disgrace to the Zulu nation and called on all men to actively take part in ending the scourge.

“This is a fight for the whole nation, the scourge of abuse. No one else will build this nation but us. It is still us who have the responsibility to preserve the nation our forefathers built for us; otherwise we are doomed.

“This nation is nothing without women. The cries of women are a danger to us, because [they] will bring God’s and our ancestors’ wrath upon us. I am encouraging all men to follow me and defeat abuse against women and children, and all those who call me their king will be on my side in this fight, because I know the safety of women is what our nation needs,” he said.

The cries of woman are a danger to us because they will bring God’s and our ancestors’ wrath upon us.

—  King Goodwill Zwelithini

King Zwelithini’s call comes days after police minister Bheki Cele announced 30 gender-based violence (GBV) hotspots in SA, six of which are in KwaZulu-Natal, where the rape capital of the country, Inanda, is located.

He took the opportunity to remind men who abuse that their “first home” (the womb) was a woman and berated abusers for destroying those who delivered them safely into the world, nursed them and raised them to be strong.

He added that men should use their strength to protect their mothers, grandmothers, wives and children.

“What kind of a person harms their first home. Let us treat women as people who are important to us.

“Think of the cows you sent for lobola, to have a wife who will help you become a respectable member of society. We must be kissing them and handling them gently. They must be happy. Do not be violent with them. That is evil,” said the king, adding that GBV had made the Zulu nation its own enemy.

“We cannot become our own enemy by abusing women and children. Our real enemies will find us weak if we continue on this path.”

The king praised women for taking on the “role of men”..

“A woman is a man in many homes because men have a lot of pride. We do not seek help when there are problems at home, but a woman will go out and seek help because she can’t bear seeing her children suffer, knowing that even her husband at home is one of the children. But men have used that time alone with their children to abuse and rape them,” he said.

King Zwelithini said the Zulu nation’s pride would only be restored if it united against GBV.

“The history of the Zulu nation says when we are together we become victorious. Divisions are a curse that make the enemy defeat us and our ancestors forsake us.

“The women played a role in building this nation. Even now they are the ones who keep the home warm and safe. Our nation’s agenda is to protect them, because they are birthing the children of this nation. They must be respected. Stop abusing them.”

Our nation’s agenda is to protect them because they are birthing the children of this nation. They must be respected. Stop abusing them.

—  King Goodwill Zwelithini

Meanwhile, President Cyril Ramaphosa used his Heritage Day speech to issue a strong message against gender-based violence and racism.

Ramaphosa said it was important for the country to actively preserve its heritage, starting with respecting women and children.

“The men, women and children of tomorrow must be proud to have inherited a democracy that affirms the worth and dignity of all our citizens. So long as this country’s women and children live in fear of violence, we cannot regard ourselves as totally free.

“So long as women are being harassed, abused, beaten, raped and murdered, we cannot say we are a civilised society. Abusing women is not our tradition, nor is it our custom.

“It is not, and will never be, our heritage,” said the president.

He emphasised the role women play in building and shaping societies.

“They have ruled kingdoms. They have been highly respected and valued. We must put an end to this terrible shame that is tainting the image of our country.

“When you oppress a woman, you oppress a nation. When you beat a woman, you beat a nation.

“We must do away with practices that discriminate against women. With the same determination, we must stand firm against attempts to disrespect our country’s women through crude forms of representation in the media, in advertising and in popular culture,” Ramaphosa added.

Additional reporting by Kgaugelo Masweneng.