anglican King Misuzulu

King Misuzulu kaZwelithini and the ring he was given during his consecration. Images via Twitter.

‘Nothing untoward’: Buthelezi defends Anglican ‘ritual’ performed on King Misuzulu

A number of people questioned why an Anglican Archbishop gave King Misuzulu a ring and anointed him with oil during his handover ceremony.

anglican King Misuzulu

King Misuzulu kaZwelithini and the ring he was given during his consecration. Images via Twitter.

Traditional Prime Minister to the Zulu nation Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi has slammed accusations that the “ritual” performed by Anglican church leaders on King Misuzulu is an attempt at recolonisation. 

The Zulu monarch was officially recognised as the only and legitimate king on Saturday, 29 October where he was handed over his certificate of recognition by President Cyril Ramaphosa. The ritual performed by Anglican Archbishop Reverend Thabo Makgoba where the Zulu monarch was anointed with oil and even given a ring to wear left many confused and with a lot of unanswered questions. 

BUTHELEZI PROVIDES CLARITY ON ANGLICAN “RITUAL”

Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi held a briefing on Tuesday, 29 October where he sought to provide clarity on the role of the Anglican Church in the handing over ceremony. 

Buthelezi said he is the one who approached King Misuzulu about having a Christian element in the ceremony who then requested him to speak to the head of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa the Archbishop of Cape Town to perform a religious service. 

Buthelezi said King Misuzulu’s father the late King Goodwill Zwelithini was also a member of the Anglican Church and that the Zulu Royal Family has been part of the church since time immemorial. 

WATCH: Musa Mseleku encourages King Misuzulu to take more wives

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

“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.” 

Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi

Furthermore, the former IFP leader said there was nothing untoward about Archbishop Makgoba laying hands on King Misuzulu because that is how bishops perform the consecration. 

ALSO READ: ‘ANC almost collapsed it’: Malema on King Misuzulu’s certificate handover event