The war of succession ends. The rite must be held in the greatest secrecy: the new king of the Zulus, the most powerful customary ruler of South Africa, will be crowned on Saturday August 20, after an endless quarrel for the succession to the throne of the legendary “sky people”. In this southern African country with 11 official languages, sovereigns and traditional chiefs are recognized by the Constitution. Kings without executive power, they wield deep moral authority and are revered by their people.
To succeed his father Goodwill Zwelithini, who died last year after 50 years of reign, Misuzulu Zulu, 47, will enter as tradition dictates “the cattle pen” of the palace of KwaKhethomthandayo, in Nongoma, a small town in the province of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN, south-east) and cradle of the largest ethnic group in South Africa. Only a few members of the royal family and amaButho (warriors) will be allowed to enter this sort of temple of the Zulu Nation. The sovereign, dubbed by the ancestors during this first rite of passage, “will then be presented to the nation which will undertake to respect him and accept him as king”explains Gugulethu Mazibuko, a specialist in African cultures at the University of KZN.
The country’s 11 million Zulus, one in five South Africans, typically respond en masse to invitations to celebrate their culture. The women, in traditional outfits, hoot and beat the ground rhythmically. The greatness and fame of the Zulu people, which resonates beyond the African borders, is originally based on the exploits of Chaka, a ruthless warrior and creator of the army who, in the 19th century, won a bloody battle against the British Empire. Barefoot warriors, dressed in monkey-skin skirts and bracelets, defeat a regular army. The imagination does the rest, historians find a nickname: “The Spartans of Africa”.
Recently, the battle raged inside the palace. Son of the late king’s favorite, Misuzulu Zulu is disputed by the first wife and her descendants. King Goodwill Zwelithini had a total of six wives and at least 28 children. Last weekend, the splinter clan celebrated the coronation of the eldest of their line, in a desperate bid to seize the throne. The first queen, who took her wrath to court, claims to be the only legitimate one. And his daughters dispute the authenticity of the will. His execution was suspended but the queen was dismissed. And the latest twist in the royal saga, brothers of the late king have announced a mysterious third pretender to the throne.
Besides the crown, the king’s fortune is also at the center of the dispute. The Zulu king is a wealthy owner of land managed by a trust of which he is the sole administrator. It covers nearly 30,000 km2, the size of Belgium. And nearly 1,500 properties from which he can derive rents. Known for leading a lavish lifestyle, King Zwelithini received around 75,000 euros from the state a year for his personal use, as well as a budget of 4.2 million euros for the functioning of the kingdom, according to a scale published in the official journal.
In the coming months, President Cyril Ramaphosa will seal the coronation by formally recognizing the king of the Zulus, hoping to end the rivalries that threaten peace over the kingdom.