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READY: King Goodwill Zwelithini will launch Zulu 200 at King Shaka International Airport.

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This is a countdown programme towards the year 2016 when the Zulu nation will be celebrating 200 years since its formation by King Shaka.

King Shaka formed the Zulu nation in 1816. The Zulus are one of the original peoples of South Africa.

They were Bantu-speaking, but adopted some of the Khoisan click sounds in their language. At the end of the 1700s the name "Zulu" belonged to a small clan of a few hundred people.

In 1816 King Senzangakhona, the chief of the Zulu clan, died, leaving Shaka descendant to the throne.

King Shaka wanted to unite various clans and make them into a large nation under his leadership.

To do so, he set up a programme training new warriors in new war tactics and giving them a sense of discipline and a desire to be part of a wider nation rather than a clan.

Coincidentally, tomorrow's launch, which will see amabutho in full traditional regalia invoking the spirit of King Shaka through amahubo (hymns) and traditional dance routines, takes place two days before Ukhozi FM DJ Ngizwenkosi Mchunu returns to Equality Court.

Mchunu launched a R10-million discrimination and defamation lawsuit against the airport, agriculture department, and the SA Revenue Service's customs and excise department aftersecurity personnel allegedly threatened to destroy his traditional shield (ihawu) because it was "infested with foot-and-mouth disease".

One of the organisers and cultural activist Mandla kaNozulu said this "mother of all Zulu celebrations" was the commemoration of the second centenary of this "great nation".

The celebrations will run over the next five years.

He said when King Shaka kaSenzangakhona ascended the throne of the Zulu clan in 1816, the Zulu was the smaller of the clans that lived on the eastern coast of South Africa.

"He (King Shaka) launched a programme that aimed at amalgamating the Nguni clans into a nation.

King Shaka formed a nation that became one of the most admired kingdoms of the world," he said.

The Airports Company of SA was approached and agreed to host the launching event at the airport.

Comments

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Sat May 18 08:01:22 SAST 2013 ::

Oct 14, 2011

guiliano

Shaka- His baby cry was of cub
tearing the of the lioness
because he was fatherless.

WENA WE NDLHOVU!!!
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Oct 14, 2011

RobinH

Great to have that history told at last.
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Oct 14, 2011

guiliano

Shaka- His baby cry was of cub
tearing the neck of the lioness
because he was fatherless.


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Oct 14, 2011

leShandis

-Bayede, Zulu! wena weNdlovu!
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Oct 14, 2011

vandal-gal

Wena owakaZulu..... (THE HEAVENS) .... IM A PROUD ZULU WOMAN AND SUCH AN EVENT IS APPRECIATED..

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Oct 14, 2011

ApelMankotsana

Good to see our own Black history celebrated by our own people. I hope this will be a lesson to all South African cultures to celebrate their own identity andculture. We must write our own history. It will be good to see so many taxi drivers and security officers in one place.
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Oct 14, 2011

Revulshionary

ApelM

........and off our roads", you might addd!!!!
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Oct 14, 2011

Zulugal

Sibonga wena Shaka ka Senzangakhona...ilembe eleqa amanye amalembe!!!!!!#lililililililili!!!!!!!# Wena owe Zulu.....
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Oct 14, 2011

Firefly

Bayethe!!
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Oct 14, 2011

BiBi

Bayede Ngonyama
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