DURBAN - AMID squabbles and contestation over the throne, the Zulu Royal Family held its annual Reed Dance at enyokeni Royal Palace in Nongoma yesterday.
The event, which normally attracts thousands of maidens from across the country, was held for the first time without the late King Goodwill Zwelithini.
Due to the ongoing dispute over the rightful heir to the throne, it was not clear whether the event would take place. Neither Kwazulu-natal Arts and Culture MEC Hlengiwe Mavimbela nor
Premier Sihle Zikalala attended the event.
About 300 maidens presented the reed to King Misuzulu yesterday. King Misuzulu was named heir to the throne during the reading of her mother, Queen Mantfombi’s will, but his position has been heavily contested as some matters have escalated to court.
King Misuzulu called on his subjects to strive for the preservation of culture amid the challenging times of Covid-19. The king recalled the 37 years since the Reed Dance was revived by his parents, saying the event would always take place to protect and groom young girls.
“It is our first event celebrating the Reed Dance without my parents. I have mixed emotions because I can still recall the days when my parents were liaising with chiefs and indunas to make this historic event a success in 1984.
“My siblings, cousins and friends were the first group to lead the procession which showed other nations that we can also preserve this culture. “There were also unfortunate events that took place in the same years. The floods claimed many lives, so it is an important year.
“Currently, we are battling the deadly virus, Covid-19. As a nation, we should learn to live with it because it is here to stay. But we must not allow it to end our cultures. The year 2021 has been difficult, losing the king and queen, the unrest which led to tension between Zulus and Indians in Durban.
“We need to hold up our social events to build this nation and our relations with other groups. I am confident that if we continue to preserve our culture, God will be with us to overcome all the challenges,” he said.
IOL