The AmaZulu nation was a group of Nguni people situated in southern and central Africa, who strongly believed in ancestral magic. The Zulu nation embraces culture, beliefs, norms, and values among other Nguni nations, followed by the Swati nation, in South Africa.
They believe that people must be led by traditional leaders who seek guidance from their ancestors and God. The AmaZulu nation is believed to be originally situated in KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa, speaking the isiZulu language.
According to the Zulu nation, communities or a group of people living on the land left by their ancestors must live according to the rules set by the elders. This can not be done by many people but by gifted individuals selected by the ancestors and the great God.
They believe that men are leaders, and their responsibilities are to protect and provide for their families, care for cattle, manufacture and maintain weapons and farm implements, and build dwellings. Meanwhile, women are caretakers, they have domestic responsibility and grow crops on the land near their household.
The Zulu nation lived in harmony, ruled under a chiefdom. According to South African History Online, a process of political consolidation among the groups began in the 18th century. A few powerful chiefdoms began to emerge, and a transformation from a pastoral society to a more organised statehood occurred. This enabled leaders to wield more authority over their own supporters and to compel allegiance from conquered chiefdoms.
The AmaZulu nation began to be ruled by kings who share their roots with all the Nguni peoples whose ancestral and linguistic roots are Ntu. Ntu begot Mnguni, and Mnguni begot Xhosa, Luzumane, Swazi, and Ndebele. Each of the descendants of the sons of Mnguni subsequently established their own kingdoms and spatial territories. Luzumane is the progenitor of AmaZulu.
Luzumane was succeeded by Malandela, Zulu, Ntombela, Nkosinkulu, Phunga, Mageba, Ndaba, Jama, Senzangakhona, and Shaka.
The reign of the late King Shaka Zulu:
The death of King Senzangakhona caused a huge division in the AmaZulu nation. War began. The lives of the Zulu families and supporters relied on a powerful king with great warriors. King Shaka recruited young men and trained them to become great warriors. His aim was to win the war and unite the Zulu nation.
This indeed allowed the king to restore unity during his reign in the 19th century. King Shaka Zulu was the only king who in history conquered all the chiefdoms. Shaka ruled from 1816 to 1828. He was succeeded by Dingane, Cetshwayo, Dinuzulu, Maphumzana, Bhekuzulu, and Zwelithi.
The reign of the late King Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu:
The apartheid era caused the fall of the Zulu nation, as they had to start working for wages. The appointment of King Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu in 1971 gave hope for liberty and unity to the Zulu nation.
During the reign of King Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu, the king made an agreement with the South African government before the 1994 elections. His majesty, King Zwelithini’s request was made pursuant to Chapter 12 of the Constitution of the South African Act 106 of 1996, which provides for the recognition of the institution of traditional leadership.
The reign of the king, Zwelithini, was sustained by strong political power. King Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu, son of King Cyprian Bhekuzulu kaSolomon, reigned from 1971 to 2021.
After the death of King Zwelithini on March 12, 2021, Misuzulu Sinqobile Hlomesakhishlangu kaZwelithini, who is the successor and the first son of Zwelithini with his third wife, Queen Mantfombi Dlamini Zulu, was appointed as King.
The reign of the current King Misuzulu Sinqobile Hlomesakhishlangu kaZwelithini:
In terms of section 17(1) of the KwaZulu-Natal Act 5 of 2005, “Isilo must be appointed in terms of customary law and customs subject to this Act.” (b) Section 17(3) prescribes the process to be followed when the position of isilo is to be filled.
On the 20th of August 2022, the AmaZulu King, Misuzulu kaZwelithini, was officially introduced to the ancestors and his people during his Ukungena esibayeni (entering the kraal) ceremony, known traditionally as Ukucocwa KweSilo.
King Misuzulu has promised the Zulu nation unity and also pledged to serve his subjects diligently.
“My people, as I am on the throne, I cannot thank enough my prime minister for standing up for the truth. Regardless of what was being said, he stood firm. I also pledge to my subjects that I will do my best to serve you with the help of God and my ancestors. “I will always be with you regardless of the challenges,” said King Misuzulu kaZwelithini during his pre-coronation ceremony.
King Misuzulu Sinqobile Hlomesakhishlangu kaZwelithini is currently the reigning king of the AmaZulu Nation. Bayethe!
Sources:
South African Constitution
B.P. Mngadi for UNESCO’s World Languages Report.
https://www.sahistory.org.za
http://www.gov.za/file
