‘Our only King’: Malema backs King Misuzulu kaZwelithini

Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader, Julius Malema has thrown shade to all those trying to dethrone King Misuzulu Sinqobile KaZwelithini saying he is the only King they know. 

Malema’s backing comes as the late King Goodwill Zwelithini’s brother, Prince Buzabazi was announced as king-elect by a certain faction in the Zulu Royal family and Prince Smakade also performed rituals to be recognised as the new king for the AmaZulu nation.

JULIUS MALEMA BACKS KING MISUZULU KAZWELITHINI

Malema took to Twitter to show his support to King Misuzulu. 

“Iyodwa vo INkosi esiyaziyo, ISilo uMisuzulu KaZwelithini. He’s our only king; the rest is noises of scavengers and hyenas. To all ground forces, feel free to attend tomorrow’s event. Wena weNdlovu! Bayede! Bayede! Bayede!” 

Iyodwa vo INkosi esiyaziyo, ISilo uMisuzulu KaZwelithini. He’s our only king; the rest is noises of scavengers and hyenas. To all ground forces, feel free to attend tomorrow’s event. Wena weNdlovu! Bayede! Bayede! Bayede! pic.twitter.com/spdsWBJ1fl

— Julius Sello Malema (@Julius_S_Malema) August 19, 2022

WHAT IS UKUNGENA ESIBAYENI? 

It has been widely reported that King Misuzulu will perform a ritual called Ukungena Esibayeni in preparation for his coronation on 24 September 2022. The big question now is what is this ritual about? 

Ukungena Esibayeni has been described as one of the most sacred royal customs in Zulu tradition. 

In every Zulu homestead, there is a kraal which is regarded as a sacred place where the family communicates with its ancestors. The same applies to every royal palace, even though many other sacred things are done there. 

In simple terms, it means that King Misuzulu will be entering a kraal at KwaKhangelamankengane Royal Palace in Nongoma, KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) and there he will be introduced to the ancestors as the next AmaZulu King, following the passing of his father and mother Queen Regent, Mantfombi Dlamini-Zulu. 

The king also had to hunt a lion ahead of the ritual which did not sit well with many who claim to be pro-animal rights despite such being done by trophy hunters all year round. 

PHOTOS: Here is the lion King Misuzulu brought from the royal hunt. It will now be delivered to the scared royal at KwaKhangalemankengane palace ahead of this weekend’s ritual of entering the kraal. @IOL pic.twitter.com/rYdCRZx5y9

— Sihle Mavuso (@ZANewsFlash) August 18, 2022

In March this year, the Presidency announced that King Misuzulu was recognised in terms of Section 8(3)(a) and (b) of the Traditional and Khoi-San Leadership Act, 2019

Meanwhile, Traditional Prime Minister, Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi has criticised those who have tried to claim the throne saying it is unprecedented. 

During a media briefing on Friday, Buthelezi said this has turned the Zulu nation into a laughing stock. 

“It’s unprecedented that there would be two more people claiming to be king-elects and that they have a right to sit on the throne,” Buthelezi said. 

ALSO READ: Ramaphosa recognises King-Elect Prince Misuzulu as AmaZulu King