South Africa’s Zulus prepare to crown a new king

KWAZULU-NATAL, South Africa

South Africa’s largest ethnic group, the Zulus, will on Saturday, crown a new king following a year of feuding over who should ascend to the throne of the country’s most influential traditional monarchy.

47-year-old Misuzulu Zulu is set to succeed his father, Goodwill Zwelithini, who died in March last year after 50 years in charge.

Although the title of king does not bestow executive power, Zulu monarchs wield great moral influence over more than 11 million Zulus, who make up nearly a fifth of South Africa’s population.

On Saturday, Misuzulu will enter the “cattle kraal” at the Zulu royal residence or KwaKhethomthandayo in Nongoma, a small town in the ethnic group’s southeastern heartland province of KwaZulu-Natal.

Misuzulu Zulu

There, he will take part in a secret rite designed to present the new monarch to his legendary ancestors.

Afterward, he will be introduced to his people, who will pledge to “accept the king as their king”, said Gugulethu Mazibuko, an expert in African cultures at the University of KwaZulu-Natal.

Only selected members of the royal family and Zulu warriors, known as amaButhos, are allowed to witness the kraal rite up close, but large crowds are expected to gather at the royal palace to celebrate the event.