King Misuzulu KaZwelithini has ended his almost two months of seclusion period to come and address Zulu regiments, thanking them for upholding the sacred ceremony of Ukweshwama (the first fruit).

The ceremony is also used as an annual traditional Zulu prayer for a good year ahead. 

It was held at the newly built Mshobeni palace in Nongoma (across the Nkunzana river from KwaKhangela palace, named after one of the old palaces of the legendary King Shaka, the founder of the Zulu nation, on Thursday (January 16).

This was the King’s first public speech since the Zulu kingdom lurched from one crisis to another. Among the crises were the spat over the control of Ingonyama Trust Board, his filing court papers to divorce one of his wives, and the pending interdict to stop the monarch’s planned upcoming wedding to Queen Nomzamo Myeni of Jozini.

Giving a brief speech to disperse the regiments, King Misuzulu started by thanking the Swazis who sent a delegation to support the ceremony and the Ndwandwe people for their immense contribution. 

He then thanked the regiments for their role even under trying circumstances .

“It has been years [since] we last had this ceremony due to the bereavement in the Zulu kingdom after the death of our King (King Goodwill Zwelithini, his father). I am glad that our ancestors allowed this ceremony to proceed today after years of absence.

“What is also pleasing is the dedication of regiments while undertaking this difficult task, more especially the team of our [traditional] doctors who spent long nights cleansing this kingdom so that it does not die and end with us. They made sure that it stands forever so that even the next generation finds it,” King Misuzulu said, adding that he was pleased that the ceremony was concluded without any incident..

He then told the regiments that the next big royal event is the commemoration of the battle of Isandlwana on January 22 at Nquthu next Wednesday.