On Saturday in South Africa, the new Zulu king in traditional black feathers was enthroned. Crowds gathered to greet Missoulou, 47, who succeeded his father Goodwill Zuellitini, who died last year after 50 years on the throne.

The Zulu king may not have executive power, but he wields powerful influence over more than 11 million members of South Africa’s largest ethnic group. Following the ritual exactly, Misuzulu killed the lion a few days before the coronation ceremony.

Thousands of Zulus dressed in animal skins danced war dances to welcome the new king. Dozens of cows were slaughtered for numerous guests, including tribal delegations from neighboring countries who brought gifts to the new Zulu leader.

“This is a big day when our king will officially take the throne,” Temba Fakazi, 59, one of the warriors tasked with protecting the Zulu king, told AFP.

According to the new king, a new chapter is beginning for the Zulu people. “I promise I will work to put it all together,” he told the crowd.

For more than a year, the dispute over the succession to the throne did not subside. The late king’s first wife and her clan dispute the legitimacy of the coronation of Misuzulu, who was born to Goodwill’s third wife, Zuelitini.

The 47-year-old king, who already has two wives and four children, is given the role of guarantor of peace in his kingdom. According to government sources, his father received about 75,000 euros a year for personal needs and had a budget of 4.2 million euros to govern the kingdom.

The Zulu chief controls an area of ​​almost 30,000 square kilometers – the size of Belgium – from which he can collect rent.

Following a traditional ceremony, the new Zulu king is due to be officially recognized by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa in the coming months.

^{Sources: APE-MPE, AFP.}