Enlarge image
The new king of eleven million Zulus: Misuzulu Zulu
Photo:
Fikile Marakalla/GCIS HANDOUT/EPA
Women and men in colorful traditional robes gathered for hours of song, dance and martial marches in front of the palace in the small town of Nogoma in the south-eastern province of KwaZulu-Natal, the heartland of South Africa's largest ethnic group: the Zulus have their new king, Misuzulu Zulu, crowned in South Africa celebrated.
A rush request against the ceremony was dismissed at the last minute.
"A new chapter"
At the podium, Misuzulu, dressed in traditional leopard skin and a necklace of predatory fangs, announced "a new chapter" for his subjects.
'I promise I will work to unite the Zulu nation,' he said.
The 47-year-old succeeds his father Zwelithini, who died in March 2021 after 50 years on the throne.
There was a bitter dispute about the successor, as Misuzulus' father had left six wives and at least 28 children.
The urgent application against the ceremony was received by a court in Pietermaritzburg on Saturday.
Misuzulu is the first son of Zwelithini's third wife and favorite Shiyiwe Mantfombi Dlamini Zulu, whom the late king had installed as regent in his will.
However, the 65-year-old died unexpectedly after just one month and named her son as his successor in her will.
However, Zwelithini's first wife Sibongile Dlamini and some of his brothers denied the current monarch any legitimacy.
President Ramaphosa recognizes Misuzulu
However, South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa has already recognized Misuzulu as the rightful king.
He wants to confirm his coronation in a few months in another ceremony.
The Zulu king has no official power in modern South Africa.
However, the rulers are considered the traditional authority among the more than eleven million Zulus, who make up almost a fifth of the population of South Africa.
Zwelithini's successor inherits a large fortune and can hope for regular, rich income.
A royal trust fund with Misuzulu as sole administrator has almost 30,000 square kilometers of land, roughly the size of Belgium.
Known for his lavish lifestyle, the previous monarch, his father Zwelithini, also received about 75,000 euros a year from the state for his personal needs and a budget of 4.2 million euros a year for the administration of the kingdom.
He also owned several palaces and other properties.
jpa/dpa