The Zulu culture and heritage were on full display at King Misuzulu KaZwelithini's coronation ceremony, held at Moses Mabhida stadium on Saturday.
King Misuzulu ka Zwelithini was formally acknowledged as monarch by President Cyril Ramaphosa, who gave him a certificate affirming his status as the King of the Zulu nation.
The event, which attracted a strong contingent of male and female regiments, Zulu maidens and other cultural groups from across the country and abroad, was a splendour of culture and heritage as traditional groups sang and danced across the field throughout the ceremony.
The event was attended by former state presidents Thabo Mbeki and Jacob Zuma.
There were also other political leaders such as Herman Mashaba, Julius Malema, Bantu Holomisa, former Botswana president Ian Khama, and King Asante of Ghana, among many others.
The day, which marked a new beginning for the AmaZulu nation, also saw local politicians congratulate King Misuzulu KaZwelithini on his new role.
The King was ushered into the venue by his praise power, Buzetsheni Mdletshe.
The celebration was accompanied by traditional songs, dance and a splash of culture from eSwatini, Ndebele and many other ethnic groups who came in numbers to witness the special crowing of the King.
Bheki Cele, Minister of Police, said he was delighted to be part of a historical moment.
"There are things that you never know that you will see in your life. I guess, for most of us, this is a once-off moment that we will never witness again. We have come from a very bad time when we had to bury our king, Zwelithini, and today the son is rising. This is a sign that we have roots. We come from somewhere, and we are not just floating, " he said.
The EFF also hailed the king in a statement shared on social media.
"The EFF congratulates the newly coronated and certified king of the Zulu Nation, King Misuzulu kaZwelithini, on his coronation as the king of the Zulu Nation. King Misuzulu was officially granted his certificate of recognition, putting an end to a long and drawn-out process of dispute on the succession of the throne of the Zulu Kingdom since the passing of King Goodwill Zwelithini. The coronation of King Zwelithini affirms the strength and stability of one of the most revolutionary kingdoms in the history of mankind."
Young people who showed up at Moses Mabhida stadium mentioned the high unemployment rate as a pervasive ill with hopes that the king would intervene.
It was a historic weekend for the Zulu nation and South Africans, who expressed respect and honour as the new Zulu king sat on the throne.
The Star