On Saturday 29 October, an international audience witnessed the ninth King of the Zulu Nation being recognised by the President of the Republic of South Africa, and receiving his certificate of appointment. It was an historic moment that has never been seen before in our country. 

When the late King Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu was installed in 1973, South Africa was under apartheid and our King was considered merely a Paramount Chief. 

The same had been the case under King Cyprian Bhekuzulu, under King Solomon and under King Dinuzulu. Since King Cetshwayo’s defeat in the Anglo-Zulu War, our Kings have not been recognised. 

Thus, the recognition of our monarch as the King of the Zulu Nation by the country’s Head of State was one of the most significant moments in our Nation’s history. It was cause for great celebration and required a ceremony befitting of the occasion.

As the Traditional Prime Minister to the Zulu Monarch and Nation, I played a role in the arrangements for the ceremony. As we were installing a Christian King, who worships at the Nazareth Baptist Church, I felt it important to have a Christian element to the ceremony. Accordingly, I approached His Majesty and sought his guidance on this, and he requested that I appeal to the Head of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa, the Archbishop of Cape Town, to perform a religious service.

His Majesty King Goodwill Zwelithini, the King’s late father, was a member of the Anglican Church. Indeed, the Royal Family has been part of the Anglican Church since my grandfather, King Dinuzulu’s exile on the Island of St Helena, where he became an Anglican. Even the Regent, Prince Mshiyeni, during the interregnum after King Solomon’s passing, received his baptism certificate from the Bishop of Zululand.

At the King’s request, I therefore approached the Archbishop of Cape Town, the Most Reverend Dr Thabo Makgoba, and he agreed to perform a Christian service before the traditional part of the handing over ceremony. His Grace asked for no more than 20 minutes, and he met with both His Majesty and I beforehand to discuss what would be done. Nothing was imposed upon the King.

I want to emphasise this point, because a very distressing accusation has been made by the Indonsa yeSizwe Think Tank, under the names of the Reverend Professor Musa Xulu, Dr Makhosi Khoza and Dr Themba Fakazi, claiming that the role played by the Anglican Church in the handing over ceremony amounts to an attempt at “re-colonization”.

I am devastated by this accusation against the Head of my own Church, whom I myself asked to be present and whom I myself requested to do what he did. If there is any blame to be apportioned, that blame should fall squarely on my shoulders.

But I do not regret asking the Archbishop to perform this service, and I believe that it was done in a superbly dignified manner. Through the liturgy, the Archbishop did what the prophets of old did in the times of King David, even using the oil of anointing. This was wholly appropriate for a Christian King.

In a sense, everything about this certificate handing over ceremony was unprecedented. Our King had never before been recognised by our Head of State. I carried a duty to ensure that it was done in a manner befitting the dignity of our King. The whole ritual performed by the Anglican Church was not prescribed. Yet it was meticulously performed and was appreciated by those who witnessed it.

I must clarify that there is nothing untoward in the Archbishop laying hands on the head of the King, for that is how our bishops perform the consecration. 

I simply cannot fathom how Indonsa yeSizwe can claim that the Christian ceremony performed on Saturday opens the way for the defeat of the Zulu Nation and the reoccurrence of the tragedy of the 4th of July 1879. I find this statement quite embarrassing and deeply insulting to the Head of my Church.

I am perhaps more embarrassed because I have given my support to Indonsa yeSizwe since its formation and believe it to be a valuable vehicle through which our Nation’s traditions and identity can be preserved. It is a tremendous pity that it has chosen to take this stance of accusing the Anglican Church of trying to recolonize our Nation.

I take serious umbrage on behalf of my Church. I want it to be known that it was I who invited the Archbishop to perform this service, and I believe that he and his fellow Bishops acted with unquestionable dignity and appropriateness. Indeed, the service they rendered beautifully conveyed the magnitude of the occasion. 

I note that there has also been a suggestion that an interfaith service would have been more appropriate. Certainly when I was Chief Minister of the erstwhile KwaZulu Government and when I was President of Inkatha and then of the IFP, I habitually asked that our meetings and conferences be opened with an interfaith prayer. Thus, in principle, I understand this suggestion.

However, the programme for the handing over ceremony was such that lengthy opening devotions could not be accommodated in addition to the Christian consecration that was appropriate to the installation of a Christian King. 

I arranged this consecration, and in doing so I was doing my duty to my King. If there is any blame to be apportioned, let it be apportioned to me. But I do not believe that anything inappropriate was done. 

The Anglican Church and His Grace the Archbishop are owed an unreserved apology.

Issued by Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi MP Traditional Prime Minister to the Zulu Monarch and Nation