Commemorative event for King Dinuzulu ushers in formal discussions on cooperation between Zulus and Afrikaners

18 October 2024 

Kallie Kriel and King Misuzulu KaZwelithini

King Misuzulu KaZwelithini described the commemorative event that AfriForum and the KwaZulu-Natal Amafa and Research Institute held today in memory of the former Zulu king, King Dinuzulu (1868-1913), on the farm Rietfontein (KwaThengisangaye) outside Middelburg in Mpumalanga, as the beginning of formal discussions about cooperation with the Afrikaner community. This event was held on the farm where King Dinuzulu died in exile on 18 October 1913, exactly 111 years ago. 

The commemoration looked back on the history of King Dinuzulu and the good relations he had with Afrikaners. One of the most remarkable moments in this relationship was the order made in 1910 by General Louis Botha, the then prime minister in the newly formed union government, to release King Dinuzulu from prison in Newcastle. This follows after the Natal colonial authorities sentenced this Zulu king to prison after the Poll Tax Revolt (also known as the Bambata Rebellion) of 1906. After his release, King Dinuzulu was allowed to settle on the farm Rietfontein where he also spent his last years. He was well known to Botha because, as a young man, Botha was part of the commando of Commandant Lucas Meijer who assisted King Dinuzulu in defeating the Mandlakazi, a Zulu faction, during the Battle of Ghost Mountain (Tshaneni) in 1884.

King Misuzulu emphasised today that the formal discussions with the Afrikaner community that will follow from this commemorative event will aim to achieve cooperation in every area that can benefit these two communities.

In his speech, the king emphasised, among other things, that the “historical alliances” that existed between the Afrikaners and Zulus “are a reminder of the complexities and nuances of our past”. “The relationships between King Mpande, King Dinuzulu and their Boer counterparts remind us of the intricate web of diplomacy and resilience that characterised our history.”

Talks between the Zulus and Afrikaners, according to King Misuzulu, will focus on issues such as the economy, community safety, land management, cultural exchange and other matters of mutual interest.

According to Mwalela Cele, deputy head of Research and Innovation at Amafa, the KwaThengisangaye site is a confirmation of the role that heritage can play in promoting peaceful coexistence. “This site and the history and heritage associated with it confirm that there is more that binds us than what divides us in our beautiful country. It is very important for Amafa that sites like these are protected and that memorials and panels are erected so that they can be conserved for future generations and that people can know their history,” explains Cele.

During the commemoration Barend Uys, Head of Intercultural Relations and Cooperation at AfriForum, pointed out that, much like previous generations, the current generation also has the responsibility to ensure a prosperous future. He maintains that all the communities in the country face great challenges, but that solutions beckon. “AfriForum believes that all cultural communities must work together on the basis of mutual recognition and respect on matters that are important to these communities. The historical question that our generation must solve is the peaceful coexistence of all the communities who call the southern tip of Africa their home. What is happening here today can serve as a good start to ensure peaceful coexistence. We are building trust. We are busy having the difficult conversations that are necessary to achieve genuine reconciliation between communities,” according to Uys.

He welcomed King Misuzulu’s positive response to a request for a dialogue with the Afrikaner community. “We are very much looking forward to engaging in conversation with the king about the issues that affect our respective communities and to working together with the king,” explains Uys. “AfriForum and Afrikaners choose to continue to exist in justice. We choose mutual recognition and respect. We choose peaceful coexistence. We experience that the other communities in the country, and especially the traditional leaders, also make this choice and today’s celebrations were an exceptional example of this. We are also very grateful for the great privilege that King Misuzulu attended this event to act as keynote speaker,” concludes Uys.

Issued by Barend Uys, Head: Intercultural Relations and Cooperation, AfriForum, 18 October 2024