UPDATE: King Misuzulu KaZwelithini has now taken the podium to address Zulu maidens at eNyokeni. However, everytime he tries to speak his voice is drowned by excited Zulu maidens.
UPDATE: Overcome by emotions, Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi thanks the late Queen Mantfombi for reviving the Zulu reed dance. He then took another jab at Prince Simakade who unilaterally performed the ritual of entering the kraal and declared King.
UPDATE: Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi now is announcing that King will on 29 October 2022 as the date for the King’s coronation.
UPDATE: Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi takes a swipe at Prince Simakade saying he was trying to occupy eNyokeni and claim it as his palace.
UPDATE: Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi is now speaking. He jokes that he is dreaming that indeed King Misuzulu KaZwelithini has eventually taken the Zulu throne which is being contested. He said: “It is like one is dreaming... dreaming.” The crowd screams. Furthermore, he told the King that his father, the late King Goodwill Zwelithini, is around and watching him.
UPDATE: On the podium now is Inkosi Sifiso Shinga, the chairperson of the KZN house of traditional leaders. He says they are fully behind the King and he is the only one recognised. He adds that they will always attend cultural ceremonies the King has convened. He says next week they will be out in full force to attend the annual King Shaka's commemoration in KwaDukuza.
UPDATE: Before sitting down, the Zululand district municipality mayor, Thulasizwe Buthelezi, pledged full support for the King, saying no one has been bribed or paid to that, but it is because they believe in his leadership and he is the right one.
UPDATE: Zululand district municipality, Thulasizwe Buthelezi takes a swipe at the ANC government. He says the fully fledged department of the royal household should be brought back. He says its disbanding has led to the mess where anything can just issue a confusing memo. He is referring to the memo issued and withdrawn on Friday. The memo unilaterally announced that the venue for reed dance was no longer eNyokeni palace, but KwaKhangalemankengane, thus causing confusion.
UPDATE: On the podium now is Thulasizwe Buthelezi, the mayor of the Zululand district municipality anchored in Ulundi. He says some maidens were left behind because of poor organisation. He said if they had power, they would have done something.
UPDATE: Acting Premier Nomagugu Simelane says Premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube has asked her to relay message to King Misuzulu KaZwelithini when she comes back and all MECs will be introduced to him. They will also make undertakings about certain programmes.
UPDATE: Acting Premier Nomagugu Simelane says the provincial government is committing itself that they will never work with those who are trying to undo the Zulu legacy which was started by the great King Shaka. She says the provincial government stands behind the royal house.
UPDATE: Acting KZN Premier, Nomagugu Simelane is on the podium to deliver the message of support of the provincial government on behalf of Nomusa Dube-Ncube. She orders a moment of silence in memory of the children that perished on Friday in a gruesome road accident in Pongola.
UPDATE: Queen Mother Mavis Zungu, the widow of the late King Cyprian Bhekuzulu has welcomed guests, telling everyone to feel at home as eNyokeni "is their home". Every time King Misuzulu KaZwelithini is shown on the big screen, Zulu maidens scream in excitement.
UPDATE: The second part of the annual Zulu reed dance is now in motion at eNyokeni palace arena. King Misuzulu and his guests have taken their seats. The programme will be co-directed by Prince Mbongiseni (MMM) and social development MEC, Nonhlanhla Khoza. The King and his traditional prime minister, Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi got a rousing welcome.
UPDATE: Guests of King Misuzulu KaZwelithini are now taking their seats at the arena of eNyokeni palace in Nongoma where the reed dance is taking palace.
UPDATE: After observing the delivering of the reed by Zulu maidens, King Misuzulu KaZwelithini is escorted bythe regiments to the arena to observe traditional dancing and deliver his main speech. Thousands of maidens have gathered at eNyokeni palace in Nongoma for the cultural extravaganza.
UPDATE: King Misuzulu KaZwelithini patiently watch as Zulu maidens file past him after dropping their reed at eNyokeni palace in Nongoma on Saturday.
UPDATE: There is a kilometre-long queue of Zulu maidens still waiting to get to inside eNyokeni palace to deliver their reed before King Misuzulu KaZwelithini.
UPDATE: Zulu maidens drop reed at eNyokeni palace and file past the King. Now the King will be led by registration to the arena for speeches and dancing.
UPDATE: KZN COGTA MEC Sihle Zikalala is also taking part in the annual Zulu reed dance at eNyokeni palace called by King Misuzulu KaZwelithini.
UPDATE: Zulu regiments taking turns in showcasing their traditional dancing skills inside eNyokeni palace as they wait for the arrival of King Misuzulu KaZwelithini to preside over the annual Zulu reed dance.
UPDATE: The maidens are now carrying the reed to the palace and deliver it to King Misuzulu KaZwelithini. This is the first official part of the cultural ceremony. Thereafter they will gather at the arena to wait for the King’s address and dance.
UPDATE: The annual Zulu reed dance is under way at eNyokeni palace in Nongoma in northern KwaZulu-Natal and it is taking place under a heavy police presence.
King Misuzulu KaZwelithini called the cultural ceremony amid threats of "bloodshed" by Zulu royal family movers who are backing Prince Simakade for the throne.
Last night there was a commotion in front of the gates of the palace where senior royal family members like Prince Vanana and Prince Mbongiseni kicked out backers of Prince Simakade who included his spokesperson, Prince Mandlakapheli Zulu.
There was no incident of violence reported overnight, even though it was feared that sabotage will happen.
