PRINCE Africa Zulu of the Onkweni Royal House will commemorate his great grandfather, His Royal Highness Prince Shingana, by "bringing" Africa together and preaching the gospel of unity.

Prince Shingana is due to be honoured in Ulundi next month.

This year's MTN Onkweni Royal Cultural Festival takes place to revive the legacy of one of the greatest warriors, whose achievements as a commander of Zulu impis has never been told.

Prince Shingana was one of the first "political prisoners" after he was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment on St Helena with King Dinuzulu.

He was also the first person to be banned for life by the British.

Prince Africa said his great grandfather was one of the greatest commanders of the Zulu impis.

"He was a leader, a fighter of note and unifier," he said.

Prince Africa said despite his known qualities as a leader and a great commander, he never had aspirations of taking over the throne or becoming a king, but instead chose to be a good servant.

He said they had widened the scope of this year's celebration by including artists from the SADC region.

Countries that will be represented are the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mozambique, Tanzania, Burundi and Malawi.

"By bringing artists from around the continent we want to show that Prince Shingana was a leader of the whole continent," he said.

Prince Africa said the xenophobic attacks that engulfed the country last year were not "a good omen" for the continent and they would use the festival to teach people about loving one another.

He said the wars currently raging in some African countries could be avoided had people respected each other.