The old rivals shake hands again
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On 18 October, a commemorative gathering for the late Zulu King Dinuzulu served as a launchpad for formal discussions between Zulu and Afrikaner communities. Held on Rietfontein farm in Mpumalanga, where King Dinuzulu died in exile 111 years ago, the event marked both an historic and symbolic occasion, attended by Zulu King Misuzulu KaZwelithini and leaders from AfriForum and the KwaZulu-Natal Amafa and Research Institute. King Misuzulu cast the commemoration as a step toward renewed cooperation between the two communities, nodding to a shared history that stretches back more than a century.
The ties between the Zulu monarchy and Afrikaner leaders are neither superficial nor new. In 1910, then-Prime Minister Louis Botha ordered King Dinuzulu’s release from prison following his conviction in the wake of the Bambata Rebellion. Botha’s ties to Dinuzulu, in fact, predate the Union of South Africa; as a young man, Botha had joined a Boer commando assisting Dinuzulu in a battle against a rival Zulu faction, the Mandlakazi, in 1884.
During his address, King Misuzulu reflected on the “complexities and nuances” of these historical alliances, noting how they underscore the “resilience and diplomacy” that once defined relations between the Zulus and Afrikaners. Now, he suggests, a reinvigoration of those connections could focus on economic collaboration, community safety, land management, and cultural exchange.
AfriForum, too, welcomed the opportunity to address these mutual concerns. Barend Uys, AfriForum’s Head of Intercultural Relations, remarked on the necessity of addressing the “historic question” of coexistence among South Africa’s communities, stressing that such efforts rely on mutual respect.
In his article in Maroela, Uys detailed the long history of intertwined friendship and enmity between the Afrikaners and the Zulus. Friends against the machinations of British imperialism, and in the clemency fought for by Afrikaner nationalists when the Zulu revolted against the imperial-era poll taxes, enemies on the fields of the Ncome River and staunch opponents during the years of segregation – a complex relationship which has shown all the different colours of friendship and enmity.
This shared past, he argued, provides a foundation for “genuine reconciliation” and a prosperous future. Echoing this sentiment, Amafa’s deputy head, Mwalela Cele, emphasized the power of heritage sites like KwaThengisangaye to foster unity.
King Misuzulu’s attendance marked a significant endorsement of dialogue, signaling the potential for real cooperation. For AfriForum, the day’s events underscored a commitment to sustained cultural respect, trust, and—perhaps—a future that respects these enduring legacies.
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