King Misuzulu taunts Prince Simakade and his backers

BUOYED by the success of the second leg of the annual Zulu reed dance ceremony at enyokeni Royal Palace in Nongoma and the support he received there, King Misuzulu kazwelithini took a jab at his brother, Prince Simakade, who is fighting him for the throne.

Throughout his speech – the longest since he became monarch in May last year – the king turned his brother into the butt of his jokes.

However, towards the end of his address, King Misuzulu took a hard stance and slammed his brother and his backers.

He turned his attention to the ongoing fight for the throne that was now in the Pretoria High Court, after Prince Simakade took the dispute there.

The king said it was puzzling that he and his supporters hardly ever threw insults at the other faction, but they were frequently insulted.

Despite all that, he said he and his supporters wished no harm or evil against them.

“I still insist that home is home. They must come back home. They will bow and call me their brother even when they don’t like it. We always talk about the issue of accepting (the reality), but they must now accept (this reality over the throne).

“We harbour no grudge against them, (and) we wish no evil upon them, even though they are always wishing evil things (on us).

“We are waiting for them to come back to occupy their seats. The seats are still empty after they vacated them. They must come back to take them,” the king said.

He said he encouraged unity and reconciliation in the royal house.

Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi, the king’s traditional prime minister, introduced the king, as was the custom.

Buthelezi said it was like he was dreaming that King Misuzulu had eventually taken the Zulu throne that was being contested.

Furthermore, he told the king that his father, the late King Goodwill Zwelithini, was around and watching him.

Kwazulu-natal’s acting premier, Nomagugu Simelane, pledged support for the royal family and stood behind the royal house.

The reed dance was attended by more than 10000 maidens who came from all corners of KZN.