King Misuzulu had earlier been officially introduced to his ancestors inside the royal sacred kraal; as the king of the Zulu nation. The ceremony is called a kraal-entering ritual; usually performed before the King’s coronation.

Thousands of people; estimated at around 30 000; gathered at KwaKhangelamankengane palace; in Kwa-Nongoma; rural northern KwaZulu-Natal; for the ceremony performed for King Misuzulu.

Also gracing the ceremony; were the king’s wives and siblings; the princes and princesses of the royal family; who also participated in the joyous celebrations.

The palace was lit up with traditional Zulu dancing; by the Kwa-Nongoma clans and the Mdletshe clan from Mtubatuba; the latter was led by popular Maskandi musician Igcokama.

King Misizulu has ongoing royal family feuds with a small group of opponents who want to unseat him from the throne.

Two of his brothers; Prince Simakade and Prince Buzabazi; are fighting him for the throne; pushed behind by the King’s uncles; who are late King Zwelithini’s brothers.

King MisiZulu has gracefully moved forward with the pursuit of uniting the AmaZulu nation; while performing the necessary rituals; seen as the rite of passage to his final coronation.

Next stop will be; the long outstanding coronation of the king; which will happen next month at Moses Mabhida stadium in Durban; this is where; the South African President; Cyril Ramaphosa; will formally hand over the certificate of recognition to King Misizulu.

The following is a gallery of images taken from the ceremony:

One of the wives

Another wife

The Swati delegation; sent by King Sobhuza; King Misizulu’s uncle from his late mother Mantfombi’s side. King Sobhuza could not attend the ceremony.