LIVE BLOG: King Shaka's Day commemoration in KwaZulu-Natal
UPDATE: Brief as always, King Misuzulu KaZwelithini has concluded his speech at the commemoration of King Shaka's Day in KwaDukuza.
He expressed regret about the ongoing load shedding by Eskom but said he hoped the country will over the challenge.
UPDATE: King Misuzulu once again pleads with the Zulu nation to eradicate gender-based violence. He says it is worrying the province is leading the pack in that regard.
He then thanked the nation for standing behind him when the fight for the Zulu erupted in March last year. He says he will be an ethical leader.
UPDATE: King Misuzulu says what the Zulu nation is today is because of King Shaka. He now touches on the issue of the KZN floods.
He says it would have not been good for him to go ahead with his coronation while the nation was mourning. He is also sending condolences regarding the recent Pongola and eMakhosini accidents.
#KingShaka: King Misuzulu KaZwelithini says the spate of road accidents are worrying and the nation must introspect. He says one of the things that has to be done is reducing speed on the road and tolerance for other road users.
— Sihle Mavuso (@ZANewsFlash) September 24, 2022
UPDATE: King Misuzulu KaZwelithini has now taken the podium to deliver the keynote address for today's commemoration in KwaDukuza. He expresses appreciation that some royal family membersand the provincial government leaders and officials came to the event.
UPDATE: Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi is still on the podium. He says many lessons could be learnt by people from the late King Shaka, the founder of the Zulu empire.
He adds that he is proud that the Zulu monarch is a symbol and it represents a lot, including the future.
KingShaka: Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi is still on the podium. He says there are many lessons that could be learnt by people from the late King Shaka, the founder of the Zulu empire. He adds that he is proud that the Zulu monarch is a symbol and it represents a lot. @IOL pic.twitter.com/BNQeKJzlTK
— Sihle Mavuso (@ZANewsFlash) September 24, 2022
UPDATE: Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi expresses regret that King Misuzulu KaZwelithini took the throne during difficult times both for the country and the kingdom.
He says some of the king’s family members had to turn against him. However, he says that is not unusual in the Zulu royal family.
UPDATE: Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi is now delivering his speech before introducing King Misuzulu KaZwelithini who will deliver the main address for the day.
He wishes the king great strength, bravery and wisdom as he settles on the throne. He says he wishes that he can rule longer, just like his late father, King Goodwill Zwelithini.
UPDATE: Acting KZN Premier, Nomagugu Simelane is still on the podium. She stresses the importance of teaching correct history in schools, eradicating gender-based violence and ending the killing of political and traditional leaders in the province.
She says those behind the killings should be arrested.
UPDATE: In conclusion, Inkosi Sifiso Shinga says the Zulu nation must pray for the monarch after the turbulence over the throne.
He says the dust has now settled as the King is now known. He is referring to the legal fight waged by Prince Simakade against King Misuzulu.
UPDATE: Inkosi Sifiso Shinga says the Zulu nation must revive the culture of respect. He says it disappointing that the Zulu nation is always fingered in issues of gender based violence and the nation has notched a terrible reputation of being violent. He also condemns excessive drinking.
UPDATE: On the podium now is Inkosi Sifiso Shinga, the chairperson of the KZN House of Traditional Leaders.
Shinga says as traditional leaders they are pleased that the day is once against being commemorated after a two-year hiatus.
He express disappointment that the government took long to confirm that the event will take place.
UPDATE: The official programme for the commemoration of the annual King Shaka's day has started.
The programme is directed by KZN MPL, Bishop Vusi Dube.
A crowd of about 10 000 Zulu men and women have gathered at the grounds of Stanger High School where the celebration is taking place.
WATCH: Zulu #KingMisuzuluKaZwelithini has finally arrived at #KwaDukuza for the annual King Shaka's day commemoration. He will deliver the main speech. 🎥 by @ZANewsFlash #KingShaka pic.twitter.com/du0ikyTNac
— IOL News (@IOL) September 24, 2022
PHOTO: Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi has arrived at KwaDukuza where the annual King Shaka's day commemoration is taking place. COGTA MEC, Sihle Zikalala and Inkosi Sifiso Shinga have also arrived. @IOL pic.twitter.com/unrwha9aV5
— Sihle Mavuso (@ZANewsFlash) September 24, 2022
PHOTO: ANC Presidential hopeful, Dr Zweli Mkhize has also arrived at KwaDukuza for the annual King Shaka's day commemoration. @IOL pic.twitter.com/Qpq95eCDCn
— Sihle Mavuso (@ZANewsFlash) September 24, 2022
PHOTOS: More people are arriving at KwaDukuza for the annual King Shaka's day commemoration. This is the Zulu kingdom's equivalent of what is Heritage Day in the rest of South Africa. @IOL pic.twitter.com/rmsU3jtxSQ
— Sihle Mavuso (@ZANewsFlash) September 24, 2022
WATCH: Zulu regiments from KwaMashu hostel in the north of Durban have also arrived at KwaDukuza for the annual King Shaka's day commemoration.
Video: Sihle Mavuso/Current Affairs
The annual King Shaka's Day commemoration is under way in KwaDukuza (Stanger) near Durban.
The day has its roots in the apartheid era when the Bantustan government of KwaZulu under Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi started the day. But under the democratic government it is called Heritage Day.
PHOTOS: Another group of Zulu regiments from Mahlabathini, Ulundi arriving at KwaDukuza for the annual King Shaka's day commemoration. The commemoration will be addressed by King Misuzulu KaZwelithini. @IOL pic.twitter.com/DMLOtwP0Qe
— Sihle Mavuso (@ZANewsFlash) September 24, 2022
To Zulus, KwaDukuza is important as it is where King Shaka had his main palace.
Read the full story here
Video: Sihle Mavuso/Current Affairs
WATCH: #Zulu men and women do #traditional dance as they slowly march to the grounds of Stanger High School where the annual #KingShaka Commemoration is taking place.
— IOL News (@IOL) September 24, 2022
🎥by @ZANewsFlash pic.twitter.com/mJpZ5jMpXP
Durban - Hundreds of Zulu men and women are gathering at KwaDukuza (Stanger) in KwaZulu-Natal to commemorate the annual King Shaka's Day.
PHOTOS: People are trickling to KwaDukuza for the annual King Shaka's commemoration. The day will be addressed by King Misuzulu KaZwelithini. @IOL pic.twitter.com/oFwIEHNqMy
— Sihle Mavuso (@ZANewsFlash) September 24, 2022
The commemoration of the day was started by the erstwhile Bantustan government of KwaZulu under Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi to commemorate the legendary King Shaka who founded the Zulu nation in 1816 by merging smaller Nguni clans into what is today the Zulu nation.
King Shaka was born in 1787 to King Senzangakhona Zulu and Queen Nandi Mhlongo of Elangeni.
He was assassinated by his brothers, Dingane (who later assumed the throne) and Mhlangana in 1828.
Despite his brief reign and being young, through bravery, and modernised military tactics, he was able to build one of the most enduring African empires in Africa that went to inflict the first defeat against the British army in 1879 in the battle of Isandlwana.
Current Affairs