AmaZulu King Misuzulu kaZwelithini on Saturday said he was the only Zulu monarch and no other king will be installed.
In a speech at the event marking the start of his ascendance to the throne, King Misuzulu told dignitaries that his position as AmaZulu king had been cemented when President Cyril Ramaphosa recognised him as the legitimate king this year.
Misuzulu said only he was recognised by the government.
“I thank the president for supporting the Zulu nation with pride and honesty — the certificate of kingship he directed to me. Nothing is going to change now — the certificate is out and there can't be two or three. I know this is only the beginning,” he said.
Misuzulu on Saturday performed the traditional kraal-entering ritual, known as ukungena esibayeni, with a prayer to introduce him to his ancestors and to his people at his home of KwaKhangela royal palace in Nongoma, in northern KwaZulu-Natal.
There was an attempt by his rivals, princesses Ntandoyenkosi Zulu and Ntombizosuthu Zulu-Duma, to stop Saturday's ceremony through the court. But the court would not hear the matter.
The princesses were buoyed by a decision of the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) that granted Queen Sibongile Dlamini-Zulu leave to appeal a decision by the high court in Pietermaritzburg which dismissed her claim that her late husband's will was forged.
Saturday's ceremony attracted royalty from other African nations such as Zambia, Congo and Eswatini — including government dignitaries, family, amakhosi and amabutho from across the province.
While the king expressed joy at finally being on the throne with the blessings of his ancestors, he acknowledged that the road had not been easy.
“These are difficult times in the kingdom where some want us divided — today we open a new chapter. There have always been rebels but we are done with that now because we want everyone home.
“Even in your families, when you don't see eye to eye you must work on uniting each other,” he said.
The rebellion he referenced referred to two factions of the royal family that support other candidates for the throne.
But the king stood tall among thousands of well-wishers and assured them that there would be no changes in relation to succession — he is firmly on the throne with the nod from some of his family and President Cyril Ramaphosa.
Of all of the late King Goodwill Zwelithini's widows only one attended the coronation, Queen Zola KaMafu, one of the first people King Misuzulu acknowledged.
Even in your families, when you don't see eye to eye you must work on uniting each other
The king thanked her and his uncle King Mswati (who was not present) for supporting him.
“Thank you, you are the only one out of all my mothers who is here — I also thank Queen Mother Gwabini.
“I'd like to thank the royal Zulu family with us today, including the royal house of Eswatini — thank you for coming to celebrate with us on such a momentous occasion,” he said.
But it was his acknowledgment of Zulu traditional prime minister Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi that elicited the biggest applause from those gathered at the palace.
Buthelezi has been vocal in support of Misuzulu's ascent.
“Prince Buthelezi stood up for the truth in bad times — the way forward is clear and I promise you the journey will be blessed with our ancestors, God and I will be with you always. I am still lucky that I have elders close to me who supported me and made sure every process was done appropriately and committed to help me lead this nation,” said the king.
Misuzulu emphasised the significance of the day in the history of the Zulu people, and committed to working tirelessly to unite the nation.
Speaking of the death of his father and mother Queen Mantfombi, he expressed pain but assured his subjects God and their ancestors “had not forsaken them”.
“The owners of this chair (throne) are with us and guiding us as we enter this new phase. I am committed as the king to lead the Zulu nation, my father's nation.”
Misuzulu again acknowledged the respect shown by the attendees to Buthelezi by honouring the invitation to his coronation.
“You listened to the traditional prime minister when he called you like you did when he called you for my father — to show that you support your king. You have supported me because you were never confused, you always knew who your king is.”
He thanked the Nazareth Baptist Church, Twelve Apostle Church in Christ and the Anglican Church for their support.
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