Saturday marks another momentous occasion in the country's history. Misuzulu KaZwelithini, during his coronation as the ninth AmaZulu king, will receive a certificate of recognition from President Cyril Ramaphosa at Durban’s Moses Mabhida stadium.
The coronation will make him the first Zulu king officially recognised and supported by the government since the dawn of democracy and comes after the passing of King Goodwill Zwelithini and Queen Mantfombi Dlamini in 2021.
Cultural experts likened the event to a "western autocratic" process which would — apart from traditional attire and performances by amabutho and Zulu maidens — not entail traditional or customary practices such as those performed during the entering of the kraal ceremony (ukungena esibayeni) on August 20.
For the Zulu nation the real coronation was in August during the sacred entering of the kraal ceremony. Saturday is more of a government event to handover a certificate of recognition to his Majesty.
— Dr Gugu Mazibuko, UKZN cultural expert and academic
Professor in the School of Arts at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) Sihawukele Ngubane said the coronation was more a state event to recognise the king and solidify his reign.
"The core business of the coronation was when the king was introduced to his forefathers and the former kings of the Zulu nation during the entering of the kraal ceremony.
"It's like an inauguration. He will be expected to receive the certificate and make a speech in which he will welcome the responsibility. It will be a celebration of victory that he has come this far because there were legal battles after his name was pronounced. The day will be history in the making."
UKZN academic Dr Gugu Mazibuko said the coronation was important in respect of the Traditional and Khoi-San Leadership Act 3 of 2019, a law gazetted in recognition of such leaders.
"Because this act is in place it is important that the king gets this recognition from the government because the Zulu monarch is not only leading the Zulu nation. It is a structure that is part of the department of cooperative governance and traditional affairs (Cogta)."
She said much like the entering of the kraal ceremony, all eyes would be glued to television screens as the last coronation took place in 1971.
"We are all excited to see what will unfold on the day. I am sure the king will use the opportunity to deliver an important message to all South Africans on some of the social ills and interventions that need to be taken around curbing such problems."
On Monday eThekwini mayor Mxolisi Kaunda and members of the executive committee and Amakhosi visited King Misuzulu to discuss plans regarding their state of readiness to host the event.
“We have assured his majesty that, working with the presidency and the office of the premier, the municipality is ready to host the ceremony and that all logistics are in place. His majesty appreciated the report and expressed that he was happy with how the government is working together to ensure the success of this historic event,” said Kaunda.
Last week Cogta minister Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma said the stadium will be filled to just more than 80%.
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