President Cyril Ramaphosa pulled out all the stops on Saturday to woo millions of Zulu supporters who witnessed his endorsement of King Misuzulu ka Zwelithini as the rightful heir to the Zulu throne.
Some political pundits have lauded the president’s decision to back and recognise the Zulu king as “a strategic political move”, akin to an outsider going to enemy territory and “winning the hearts and minds of those who were once his foes”.
The last time Ramaphosa was in the province was at the ANC’s provincial leadership elections where he was heckled by his own members.
On Saturday, however, at an event that was both cultural with heavy political innuendo, Ramaphosa received a warm welcome. He too extended more than just an olive branch to the new monarch.
He pronounced in no uncertain terms that King Misuzulu is the rightful heir and throughout his speech to the Zulu nation referred to him as “leader” and “your majesty”.
“This is what has caused many to believe that Ramaphosa was being more than just a statesman doing presidential duty. He was looking for political support in a province that is not keen on him staying as head of the ruling party,” says political analyst Protas Madlala.
With 45 days left to the ANC’s 55th national elective conference, it is a known fact that the ANC in KwaZulu-Natal, the home of Misuzulu, has unanimously nominated former health minister Zweli Mkhize as their choice for the party’s presidency, effectively leaving Ramaphosa out in the cold.
“It was evident that Ramaphosa came to the province with a clear purpose of stamping his authority as ANC leader vying for a second term as party president. He was surrounded by his key cabinet ministers in a show of force. Not even the IFP leadership was nearby,” Madlala said.
But he cautioned that the strategy might not take off. “The province is fed up and wants a change in the top leadership of the party, and his party is losing critical by-elections to the IFP in the region.”
Misuzulu’s ascension to the throne was met with a bitter feud which culminated in a drawn-out court battle from within an opposing faction of the royal family. But Ramaphosa’s endorsement of him sends a clear message that Misuzulu is officially recognised by the government as heir to the throne.
“I am here to commit my government to working with His Majesty to change the lives of our people and to transform our rural areas into places of development and prosperity. I do so to recognise that our traditional leaders are the custodians of the cultures, customs and traditions that make us who we are,” Ramaphosa said at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday.
“In you, we have a leader who enjoys the respect and confidence of the people. A leader who takes responsibility for their decisions is trusted by the people. A leader that governs with compassion and kindness, especially to the most vulnerable, is loved,” said Ramaphosa.
Fikile Vilakazi, a political analyst, sees the situation differently. She said there would have been a lot of discussion behind the scenes around the president coming down to endorse the new king. Especially in a province where the ANC was once at loggerheads with the monarchy — most notably around issues of land. The king owns about 2-million hectares of land on behalf of the Zulu people.
“For him to come here and play the role that he did and not be seen as the enemy, unlike when he was last here and jeered at the ANC provincial conference, says a lot,” Vilakazi said.
“He was well received, showed sensitivity and utilised a strategic moment to up his political aspirations not just in the run-up to the ANC December conference where he is seeking a second term, but also for the 2024 elections when the ANC needs to build on its lost ground in KwaZulu-Natal.”
Cultural expert Gugu Mazibuko said Ramaphosa’s handing over of the certificate of recognition by the government sent a clear message that “there is only one king to rule over the 15-million Zulu supporters”.
Misuzulu, 49, ascended the throne after the death of his father Goodwill Zwelithini in March, but he required a certificate from Ramaphosa to fully access government resources in terms of Section 8(3)(a) and (b) of the Traditional and Khoi-San Leadership Act.
“The king is an astute and wise leader. He is above party politics and understands that he is king to all the people and cannot favour one or more political formations,” Mazibuko said.
Durban expects a R130m boost to the economy from Saturday’s ceremonial event. It is estimated that the visitors would have spent about R65m on accommodation, restaurants and other leisure activities, boosting the local economy by as much as R130m and providing additional jobs.
The event saw members of the Zulu regiment dressed up in traditional regalia and women supporters in colourful traditional wear.
In attendance were high-level dignitaries including Eswatini monarch King Mswati, former Botswana president Ian Khama, former president Jacob Zuma, business mogul Patrice Motsepe, members of the diplomatic corps, and national and provincial government leaders.
Also present was Queen Sibongile Dlamini-Zulu, who went to court to contest the estate of her late husband. Her presence prompted royal observers to conclude that unity will prevail in the royal household.
papayyam@businesslive.co.za
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