THOUSANDS GATHERED TO FETE NEW ZULU KING
Earlier today, thousands of people gathered at the Zulu royal palace in South Africa for the coronation of a new king in the country’s richest and most influential traditional monarchy.
Misuzulu Zulu, 47, succeeded his father, Goodwill Zwelithini, who died in March last year after 50 years in charge, but a bitter succession dispute threatened to overshadow the ceremony.
Although the title of king does not bestow executive power, the monarchs wield great moral influence over more than 11 million Zulus, who make up nearly one-fifth of South Africa’s population.
Men and women in colourful traditional outfits assembled on Saturday outside the marble palace on the hills of Nongoma, a small town in the southeastern province of KwaZulu-Natal, the Zulu heartland.
Tens of thousands more were expected to arrive to honour the new sovereign.
©️ Aljazeera
