Who is the true Zulu King?
The Inquiry
BBC
4.6 • 1.7K Ratings
🗓️ 22 December 2022
⏱️ 24 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
Misuzulu ka Zwelithini was officially crowned King of the Zulu Nation in October after the death of his father. King Zwelithini died of Covid complications after ruling for fifty years.
It has set off a royal feud as members of the large Zulu royal family contest King Misuzulu’s right to the throne.
Succession to the Zulu throne has been beset by violence for over a century. This time, the battle is in the courtroom.
In this week’s Inquiry we ask, who is the true Zulu King?
Presenter: Audrey Brown Producer: Louise Clarke-Rowbotham Editor: Tara McDermott Technical Producer: Craig Boardman Production Coordinator: Brenda Brown
(Zulu King Misuzulu KaZwelithini at his coronation ceremony in Durban, South Africa. Credit: Darren Stewart/Getty Images)
Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | The dark is rising from the BBC World Service. |
| 0:03.6 | The powers of the dark are reaching out now steadily and stealthily all over this world. |
| 0:10.0 | Find out more at the end of this podcast. |
| 0:18.8 | Welcome to the inquiry on the BBC World Service with me Audrey Brown. |
| 0:24.4 | Each week, one question, four expert witnesses and an answer. |
| 0:32.2 | On the 29th of October, Missou Zulu Gaha Zuelitini was officially |
| 0:37.2 | in terms of the South African constitution, crowned King of the Zulu Nation. |
| 0:42.0 | We're now in Zulu. |
| 0:50.0 | He ascended the throne after his father, Zuelitini Gabe Guzulu, |
| 0:54.0 | died of COVID complications in March 2022. |
| 0:58.0 | This hour, Zulu King Goodwill Zuelitini has died. |
| 1:02.0 | He had been in hospital receiving medical treatment. |
| 1:04.0 | The late King's wife, Missou Zulu's mother, was appointed Queen Regent |
| 1:10.0 | while being made to bury the King and announced the name of the new King. |
| 1:15.0 | Unfortunately, Queen Montgomery died a month after her husband, |
| 1:20.0 | unleashing a battle royal among the late King's 28 children, his five other wives, |
| 1:27.0 | and his surviving brothers. |
| 1:30.0 | It's a fierce fight that could go all the way to South Africa's constitutional court |
| 1:36.0 | and it could take a long time to settle. |
| 1:39.0 | Projection shows that if he fights it up to their constitutional holds, |
| 1:44.0 | it will take up two ten years. |
| 1:46.0 | This week on the inquiry, we ask, |
... |
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