After a fierce clan war at the palace, Misuzulu Zulu is now firmly on his throne.
The new king of the Zulu people, a powerful customary ruler, was enthroned in South Africa on Saturday in front of a huge crowd.
In the country, sovereigns and traditional chiefs are recognized by the Constitution.
Kings without executive power, they wield great moral authority and are deeply respected by their people.
After the traditional ceremony, the new sovereign must be formally recognized by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa in the coming months.
A night in the "cattle pen"
To succeed his father Goodwill Zwelithini, who died last year after 50 years of reign, Misuzulu Zulu, 47, killed a lion a few days before the ceremony.
He then spent a night in the "cattle pen" of the KwaKhangelamankengane palace, in Nongoma, a small town in the province of KwaZulu-Natal (southeast) and cradle of the Zulu nation.
A sort of temple for the "people of heaven", only a few men know the secrets of this enclosure and the rites that are conducted there.
The king of the Zulus was to come out on Saturday, dubbed by the ancestors and crowned.
Waiting to see him appear, thousands of "amaButho" warriors dressed in animal skins danced and mimed the war, under a scorching sun, around the small marble palace.
The king's poets strolled through the crowd, telling the legend of the warrior people.
The country's 11 million Zulus, almost one in five South Africans, are descendants of Chaka, a charismatic leader and military genius who made history by winning a bloody battle against the British Empire.
“The Zulu Nation today enters a new chapter.
I promise to work to unite it,” Misuzulu Zulu said as he appeared in front of the crowd.
For more than a year, a dispute over the succession has indeed poisoned the palace.
The late king's first wife and her clan dispute the legitimacy of Misuzulu Zulu, born to the king's favorite and third wife.
A last-minute appeal on Saturday to try to prevent the coronation failed.
A role of guarantor of social peace
The king, whose name means "strengthening the Zulu people", already has two wives and four children.
"He ensures stability and order among his people," said Ntokozo Malchathini, 31, employed in a logistics company.
Playing a role of guarantor of social peace in his kingdom, the king of the Zulus receives support from the state.
Known for leading a lavish lifestyle, King Zwelithini received around 75,000 euros a year for his personal use, as well as a budget of 4.2 million euros for the functioning of the kingdom, according to a government scale.
The Zulu sovereign also enjoys nearly 30,000 km2 of land - approximately the size of Belgium - managed by a trust of which he is the sole administrator and from which he can draw rents.
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