On the 200th anniversary of its founding, the dominance of the Zulu nation on SA life was evident as thousands flocked to Moses Mabhida Stadium.
|||Durban - The dominance of the Zulu nation on South African life was evident on Saturday as thousands flocked to Moses Mabhida Stadium to mark uMkhosi weLembe (Shaka Day).
It was 200 years ago that King Shaka founded the mighty clan.
While many in the rest of the country celebrated Heritage Day, Zulus from all walks of life arrived in Durban for the festivities, including President Jacob Zuma and African royalty.
The occasion also marked the 45-year reign of King Goodwill Zwelithini.
Monarchs attending included Zambia’s Paramount King Mpezeni, Malawi’s King Umbelwa, Swaziland’s King Mswati III, and Limpopo’s Kgosi Mampuru II. Foreign envoys included India’s consulate-general SK Rawat.
Thousands of amabutho (regiments), traditional dance groups, and the Nazareth Baptist Church faithful descended on the venue. It was the first time the event had been held in Durban. In the past it has been in KwaDukuza on the KZN north coast, where the Zulu founder was buried.
Nicknamed uBhejane (rhino), the Zulu monarch expressed his concern over the alarming escalation in rhino poaching. He said it was an embarrassment.
“What is sad is that rhinos are continually being killed. This month, six rhinos were killed in Hluhluwe - and this is an embarrassment. These animals are a gift to us, our treasure, but today they are being killed. Be it the police, be it the defence force, if that is what it takes, let’s die for what we have,” he implored.
His majesty urged people to be proud of their heritage and to preserve their legacy.
“We should make sure that the good things we inherit from the older generation, we also pass on to the younger generation. Today, we are gathered here not only for the celebration, but to prepare for the future, learn about the past, and pray to be able to preserve the legacy left by our predecessors.
“The difference between animals and us is that we humans can think of the future, but animals can’t. They rely on us to take care of them, that’s why I warn the scoundrels who are killing our rhinos (to stop) because they are taking away our legacy.”
“The killing of animals needs to be dealt with and safety measures should be strengthened… people to do as they please because they know nothing will happen to them even if they get arrested.”
King Zwelithini also spoke passionately against the student protesters who burned down property, and took a swipe at absent parents, saying they did not play a big enough role in disciplining their children.
“We live in hard times when parents abdicate their role and it has to be played by the government. This is dangerous and a recipe for disaster.
He said what was happening was evidence of parents not being good role models.
“Children are at odds with the government, but parents are nowhere to be seen.
“To parents, I say it’s time you played your role, stand up because there is no child of the government or court. These are your children, and the government can’t be talking to your children without your presence.
Before the king’s address, Zuma was at the podium. He reiterated his pride in being Zulu, saying the nation was known even in far-flung places across the seas.
Illustrating his point, Zuma said he was once approached by a white woman at Heathrow Airport in London who wanted to leave with him for South Africa because she said she loved the Zulu nation.
“When you travel, people ask you if you know the Zulu nation.
“I was at Heathrow Airport in England, when a white, tall, plump lady asked where I was from. I told her I was from South Africa. She asked if I was Zulu. When I said yes, she said she was not staying behind but leaving with me.
“I was stunned, but she said she wanted to marry into the Zulu nation because she loved us.”
The president said a comprehensive study by modern academics still had to be done on Shaka’s prowess. He said it was believed the early colonialists were not driven by a desire to discover new climes and trade, but were on a mission to unearth Shaka’s powers on behalf of Britain.
He also spoke against violence against women. He said: “The Zulu nation respected women, even during times of war, women were not touched, that’s what King Shaka taught. But today you hear of a man taking a gun to kill a woman.
“Let’s go back to what made us a good nation, let’s conform what was taught. This is a nation that was taught to respect even young children, let’s go back to that.
“It’s important as a nation to go back, learn and use strategies that built this nation,”
“We should all remember that uniting the Zulu nation relied on many things which made this nation strong and defeated oppressors. We should all remember that.”
Zuma said it was important to learn the strategies that Shaka used in uniting the Zulu nation.
He said the Zulu nation was known worldwide for its strength, and the genius that Shaka inculcated and inspired.
King Goodwill Zwelithini sings traditional songs at Moses Mabhida stadium in Durban as part of the 200th anniversary of of the Zulu nation.
Sunday Tribune