In one of the seminal moments of the Spider-Man story, a dying Uncle Ben looks up at his nephew, Peter Parker, and says as his last words: “With great power comes great responsibility.”
It’s a cliché, yes, but clichés often hold true. This particular one predates the Spider-Man franchise, going back to the French Revolution and even making appearances in both British and American politics in the 1800s, but it could — and should — be directed at new Zulu King Misuzulu.
Certainly, the power he inherits after taking the throne after the death of his father, King Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu, comes with it an extraordinary amount of responsibility.
Not only does he come to power at a time of turmoil and friction over the naming of King Zwelithini’s successor, he also comes in at a time of already tough socio-economic upheaval worsened by the coronavirus pandemic. Many of his subjects will be desperate for their fortunes to be turned around, and they will be casting eyes in his direction.
Add in that he will now be the face of the R66m budget that the Zulu household receives from the KZN government, and the pressure will certainly be mounting on him.
The monarch — who is yet to be formally installed — went on a media charm offensive last week, outlining his plans and speaking of his upbringing. He certainly spoke a good game.
It’s a great responsibility but I think I am ready, working together with my headmen.
— Zulu King Misuzulu
“I never knew I was going to be king, he said in an interview with Newzroom Afrika.
“Coming from a polygamist background, you can never be sure of anything. Having to share your mother and father with the rest of the nation, even trying to suspect you might be king, or a senior prince, or you might be senior in the family, is very difficult. The family is very big. It consists of 12 houses. Picking a king is a very difficult process. I don’t think any of my brothers thought I would be king, or that they would be king for that matter. We were not raised that way.”
This level of humility is to be praised. It seems to speak of someone who understands the position he finds himself in. He also understands the importance of easing tensions in his own royal family.
Speaking to eNCA, he said: “My charity will begin at home and I do believe that my family will come back to be one. We are going through a crisis ... I have to admit ... but we will get over it in time.
“I don’t have anybody in my family who I can say I dislike for any reason. I do believe in my family. I am here as part of my family and I will bring my family together, to be able to show the Zulu people that unity within the family needs to begin at home. I am looking at unifying the Zulu nation as a whole.
“It’s a great responsibility but I think I am ready, working together with my headmen.” King Misuzulu will have to front up, resolve any internal issues and, to use another cliché, put his shoulder to the wheel.
He needs to ensure that the Zulu kingdom prospers under his reign, and that the South African nation similarly benefits.
He needs to make sure that the taxpayers’ money he receives is put to good use. And, beyond this, he needs to find a way to lessen the financial burden on the KZN fiscus.
It’s a tough task, but the power is in his hands to make it happen — he needs to accept that responsibility.
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