Zulu nation has centuries-long history
MARCH 12 marked one of the rarest incidents to have been witnessed during many of the current generation’s lifetime. The day saw the end of a 49 year and 100 days reign of the eighth Zulu king, His Majesty King Goodwill Zwelithini KaBhekuzulu.
He was installed three years after the death of his father, King Bhekuzulu kaPhumuzuzulu kaSolomon, who “fell” on September 17, 1968. The falling of the Zulu king caught headlines across the world.
As a measure of using esteemed language in Zulu, terms such as “death” and “bury” are avoided. Instead it is pronounced that kuwe umuthi omkhulu (a big tree has fallen) and ukutshalwa (planting of the deceased), respectively.
In some cases, it would be pronounced (the night
