Oh Great Rhino, Rest now Tribute to King Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu (Son of Bhekuzulu kaSolomon)

Professor Mogomme Masoga, The Great Rhino that wrestled against social ills is no more. journey has begun. contributions Dean: Faculty of Arts gone. He leaves us all weeping and feeling orphaned Come and see, oh world, a great tree, a significant Alive in our minds, through and beyond time – live The Warrior King whose pointed spear-like vision saw Who will guide us now? embalmer long King Zwelithini Goodwill kaBhekuzulu! The University of Zululand mourns the him The African sun is stunned; we are stupefied – Of African wisdom has fallen. Live on in our sighs over your great and god-like work sudden passing of King Goodwill Zwelith- Banish the wild-fire of HIV/Aids and cut it drastically. King Goodwill Zwelithini Bhekuzulu is no more. The great post of African knowledge and power has whose fruits we enjoy – You have given us all your ini kaBhekuzulu. The custodian of Zulu customs and traditions sleeps. What is the nation saying now? toppled over. heart, you have played your part, The university has twice conferred Our African Prometheus, who gave his people the Do we let the gold standard of leadership that the King There is wailing across the land. Excellently and powerfully. honorary doctoral degrees on the King as torch of wisdom, left go into oblivion? Even the dogs are whimpering. Live on and long in our hearts, for we love ever more, a fitting affirmation of His Royal Majes- Vision and staunch god-like work for his own has Do we let the customs of the people fade and become The rivers are still. like you are a dream. ty’s sterling roles as a nation builder‚ wise retired to silence. irrelevant? The ocean has taken a solemn sombre lull. Yes, to keep your legacy alive is our dream of the leader, philanthropist and visionary leader And the dark cloud is upon us, for our light bearer Do we fall into a limbo and forget the King’s great Son of BhekuZulu kaSolomon has left us – and we future. That we live who invested in changing people‚ institu- Professor Mogomme Masoga, folds his arms works? weep. In our pride and love for who you have been to the tions‚ South Africa and Africa at large. Dean: Faculty of Arts From the works of this world. We must stand up now and band together The custodian of African custom and traditions and African people – visionary. Weep not Africa, for the King has not really died, And raise the banner of Africa coming into greatness Pride is sleeping. We celebrate you now, as we will always. May the Horn now paw the air howling goodbye Your name, son of Bhekuzulu kaSolomon… For his great works have made him immortal; his Higher The Royal Shield, the wise Zulu Spear of Wisdom has We love you now; your memory has begun to flower Yes, may the wounded silence touch the air with our King Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu is no more! contribution We must remember King Goodwill Zwelithini left us. in our minds tears. Tell everyone, across all the Great Rivers of our Africa, To society will stick on the shelves of time forever. kaBhekuzulu now. The warrior King ukhotheme manje. Oh how great you are and you will forever be, Great May the Horn, solemn, and its throat filled with our That the Great Rhino is on a journey to the land Oh, Mother Earth, comfort us, cradle us as we battle We must ask ourselves – What would the King have uMdlokombane, uBhejane phuma esiqiwini Son of Africa. sadness unseen. to accept. us do? Inkonyane ka Ndaba King Zwelithini Goodwill, kaBhekuzulu kaSolomon, Shake the air, poke time and the sky from the great Cast your voice onto the air, and let it be known But King Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu looks upon We must be aware that like many kings and queens, Ongangezwe lakhe… the great One of our Kings is take your place hill, that South Africa is mourning today us, from the blessed shores his spirit lives. no more. Among the great Africa stars that shine forever in our With a sombre shrill – King Goodwill Zwelithini The great African son’s day is done. Of the great, the land of our ancestors – he lives in Us! His unseen presence is watching us – we must honour African child, children of the formidable Abenguni, sky. kaBhekuzulu is no more. Do not forget to begin at the Rift Valley, and let your And his name says to us to unite, for he was a man the King now. weep not. Take your place beside King Shaka – iLembe, King Tell time to stand still if he or she wants to call who The great uBhejane is gone; the King is on a journey. Your father is not really gone – for great kings never Cetshwayo, King Sekhukhune, We could not care less for motion – Glide, in its mournful mood, upon the back of the Nile; Toiled for the unity of his people – oh Great Rhino we King Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu usekhotheme… really die. King Faku, and many others, even those from across King Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu, the Great Zulu Speak to the pyramids too, the first failed ones and the hear you even now. Call everyone from the highways and hidden corners They only sleep, and he is sleeping, he is going to join the continent. King is gone. great ones that stand Go tell it around the world that the King is on a of his fathers, King Zwelithini Goodwill kaBhekuzulu, rest now, great May the curtain of the sky open wide Tall and ever great, like Pillars of Times – the Pyramids journey. the world And wonderful mothers. Son of Africa. May the Great Beyond prepare his palace – for a King know King Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu, the Great Call them home to join us as our faces are downcast Yes, great Kings like Zwelithini Goodwill kaBhekuzulu, But he is not wasted, the great social worker, an is in passage – The power and prowess of our Kings and Queens – uBhejane whose horn of wisdom Call everyone, to come and see us, African children, the African stars of leadership alchemist of African greatness. we weep; we grieve – he must take his place among so, tell them then, Was ever pointed – his wisdom still breathes among The children of Azania, sons and daughters of Do not die. They multiply through our difficulties, our We celebrate you today, we doff our hats to you, Great The great illustrious African kings and queens and That our Great King is now sleeping forever from this us. Abenguni troubles, Rhino! ancestors. earth, His rhythm has always made the social and leadership We are becoming orphaned bit by bit – our father has Our memories and our holding forth of their names, Loyal Royal Spear of the Zulu nation. The eagle of time and the mystery of life has robbed And never to return to the world of the living, the way isiqiwi taken which carry our histories. Oh, sleep now, journey well… us greatly! we saw and knew him. A place of great reformation, transformation and His last sleep, and he follows many of our kings and Weep not then, Africa, the king is a great invisible lion, Sleep, O’, sleep well now, sleep well you, our beloved And so we weep, and so we stand stupefied – tears King Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu kaSolomon is innovation. queens A great star is our sky. eagle of the Mind! pouring upon no more. And now Inkonyane kaNdaba, ongangezwe lakhe is To the place where no one ever returns from – his And he will guard us if we keep him and his great ALWEHLANGA OLINGEHLIYO HLANGA LOMHLABATHI Palace plots and fights with the ANC and apartheid King Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu

Shalo Mbatha was doing a great job. The regent also saw Africa was organised in October 1990, one of His legacy will live forever no reason to step down. Mcwayizeni went the burning questions raised was the future His Majesty King Zwelithini was born on even further, audaciously pronouncing a of traditional leadership. The ANC’s stance Naledi Hlefane circumcision among Zulu males. Through 14 July 1948, three months after apartheid different 18-month-old prince as the new was that institutions of “hereditary rulers” the King Goodwill Foundation, the king came into force. Therefore, his whole life “rightful” heir. The hullabaloo raged on in and “chiefs” should be transformed to con- The University of Zululand (Unizulu) was a champion in the fight against experience was shaped by living as a black the Zulu community, in the newspapers and form to democratic principles embodied in is engulfed by a deep sense of sorrow fol- HIV/Aids – promoting educational, com- man and Zulu monarch in a racist envi- radio shows across the nation. the Constitution. This caused nationwide lowing the sudden passing of His Majesty munity development and anti-poverty ronment. He prevailed despite the vicious, Other pretenders to the throne used tension. In retaliation, the king demanded King Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu. projects. dark apartheid cloud that was continuously politics to frustrate the young crown prince sovereign recognition because the Zulu had A highly revered and socially respon- During His Majesty’s 2018 gradu- hovering above every black person’s psyche. and started a Coronation Trust Fund in defeated the British, a then world power at sible member of society, His Majesty has ation ceremony, wherein he was con- Like some of his forefathers, the king’s August, 1971. It was ridden with so many iSandlwana, in 1879. This coupled with the been conferred with honorary degrees by ferred with an Honorary Doctorate in life had been infused with intrigue, treach- shalo mbatha problems that, in the end, it was abandoned. fact that the Zulu had fought the last con- the university twice, in 1994 and 2018. Social Work (honoris causa), Unizulu ery, exile and a whiff of scandal. Even On the other hand, the white government ventional war against oppression in Nkandla Since his crowning on December 3, Vice-Chancellor Professor Xoliswa Mtose though there was no confusion about him a “hunting” trip and she sprung him to was in a conundrum because the apartheid during the 1906 Poll Tax Revolt. But his 1971, the king has displayed exemplary said: “Unizulu acknowledges that the being the heir, life dealt him a lousy card. KwaNdebele where he worked in a rural system did not have a plan to recognise a demands were dismissed with contempt. leadership skills which shone through in conferment of this honorary degree is a For him to successfully ascend the throne, store undercover with an assumed name, “new Zulu emperor”. After careful consideration, he woke up one the fulfilment of his royal duties and his fitting affirmation for His Royal Majesty’s he had to stay one step ahead of his royal Percival Dlamini. When the royal family He was finally crowned on an unchar- morning, put on his military regalia, went philanthropic work. Among his notable sterling role and immense contribution detractors. found out the Crown Prince was in exile, a acteristically cold, wet and misty day on the to the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature with his achievements was his decision to insti- as a nation builder‚ a philanthropist, a His Majesty, iSilo samabandla onke, grew furore bordering on a revolt erupted within 3rd of December 1971 at the newly-built regiments in tow and announced that the tutionalise the custom of preserving vir- visionary and intuitive leader with deep- up in a modernised world but his was an the Zulu nation as they were not aware of KwaKhethomthandayo Palace amphithea- Zulu empire would seek to secede from the ginity among Zulu maidens, by ensuring rooted values and a wise king investing ordinary Zulu rural life in the valleys of Non- the royal shenanigans. Moreover, he had tre. Thousands of excited amaZulu, dressed Republic of South Africa and revert to King that an annual event is celebrated by the his wisdom in changing people‚ institu- goma. He herded livestock in the undulating no offspring. in their colourful traditional regalia, poured Shaka’s borders, by any means necessary. He maidens who adhere strictly to sexual tions‚ South Africa and Africa.” emerald fields and, like most young Zulu Against the backdrop of the royal Zulu in from all over the country and from differ- got the respect he commanded at Codesa abstention and thus remain virgins until The university extends its heartfelt men, took part in ijadu (matchmaking festi- intrigue and conspiracy theories of the pal- ent parts of the world to gather there. He was (Convention for a Democratic South Africa). they are married. Another was in 2009, condolences to the royal family and the vals). Even though he was particularly good ace, black South Africans were in a state of a mere 23 years old. An awkward minister Hence, today, the Zulu king is recognised when he reintroduced the custom of male Zulu nation at large. at stick fighting, his number one love was low intensity, insurrection against apartheid of Bantu administration MC (indlovu eline- with Constitutional powers, prerogatives, soccer. He was a talented striker; whenever all over South Africa. This made it impera- batha) Botha, presented him with a “Letter rights and obligations. The Zulu inkani (will- he touched the ball, his fans, especially the tive for Zwelithini to ascend the throne as a of Appointment”. Perhaps, the apartheid power) had prevailed. girls, would go berserk and scream “one- matter of urgency. The Zulu nation needed government was sending a clear message to His Majesty King Zwelithini kaBheku- one”, which was the number embroidered assurance that when apartheid was over- the brand-new king that he could be “fired” zulu passed on into spirit on March 12 this on his soccer jersey. come, they would still be a nation. It also or “retrenched” from his reign at any time, year. He was on the throne for 48 years, Tragedy struck early when the king lost became clear that the Crown Prince needed if he defied apartheid laws. It was obviously making him the longest-serving monarch his mother, Queen okaThayisa, hence he to find a wife – and fast – in order to assume wishful thinking, because he lived to see a in Zulu history. lived an emotionally lonely childhood. the throne from the prince regent, Israel democratic South Africa. Wena weNdlovu enamandla! His life began to unfold when he was at Mcwayizeni. Despite several royal hurdles King Zwelithini lived an unenviable life KwaBhekuzulu College where his pater- and sabotage by the internal palace politics, as a monarch under siege while his subjects *An edited excerpt from the book Zulu History nal-sister, Princess Nonhlanhla, helped him his wedding was fast-tracked. There was living under traditional leadership expected Decolonised by Shalo Mbatha. The Foreword take his future into his young royal hands. tension in the palace corridors as some royal miracles. When the national conference was written by His Majesty King Zwelithini. It She uncovered a plot to kill him during family members felt that the prince regent about Constitutional Issues in a New South is available on www.ilovezuluhistory.com

Dr Sibusiso L Ntuli, Department of African Languages and Culture Indeed, Ndaba’s calabash has been Your Royal Highnesses smashed into smithereens. The reverber- ating wailing is testimony to the indisput- before our eyes, as we watched helplessly May Jama’s ancestral spirits receive able and incomparable grief caused by the and cowardly. The protector of the Zulu him, embrace him and heal the wounds darkness that descended upon us at the nation and beyond, was broken without of the family and the entire nation. May apex of noon. Your royal highnesses! We receiving protection. the ancestral spirits of the Zulu nation shout at the top of our voices. It doesn’t matter anymore, may the strengthen the floundering nation, and Be comforted, children of the great son of Ndaba rest. diligently raise a powerful viper among beast. We pray that you will be consoled May the son of the bull with a wide the king’s cubs, a viper who will build because His Majesty, the son of Ndaba, head rest, the nation and lead it onwards. has been attacked by a devouring beast May the grandson of Menzi’s huge Your Royal Highnesses! You who pros- King Goodwill Zwelithini at his first honorary King Goodwill Zwelithini during his second honorary of prey, which went for the jugular right Nkayishana rest. pered while we were loitering. Dr Sibusiso L Ntuli graduation at the University of Zululand in 1994. graduation at the University of Zululand in 2018. Academics ponder centre for University of Zululand African thought at Unizulu presentation to the

Naledi Hlefane Portfolio Committee The establishment of a centre for African thought at the University of Zululand (Unizulu) is a concept that is possi- ble and indispensable. However, several gets a positive nod constitutional factors would need to be considered for it to successfully serve its purpose, academics noted during a recent webinar. Gcina Nhleko rial, was undertaken across 59 delivery Titled “The Idea of a Centre for Afri- points nationwide. In order to ensure can Thought at the University of Zulu- The Chairperson of the Portfolio Com- quality and reach to students, WhatsApp land”, the webinar was presented by mittee on Higher Education, Science groups per delivery site, bulk SMS and Professor Morgan Ndlovu, a professor in and Technology, Mr Mohlopi Phillemon phone calls were used to alert students the Department of Anthropology and Mapulane commended the University before delivery was made. Development Studies at Unizulu. It took of Zululand’s progressive efforts when it Mr Nhlakanipho Nkwanyana, Uni- place as a result of previous discussions reported back on governance and related zulu Convocation President, said as a on the idea of a centre of this nature. matters pertaining to the institution. bona fide graduates of the institution, To unpack the title, Prof Ndlovu The Portfolio Committee is widely we are pleased with this outcome. “We deciphered three key words within the known for its rigorous approach and applaud this unprecedented move by topic: thought, African and centre. While robustness when it comes to holding the Portfolio Committee. The Portfolio thought or intellectual thinking is an universities accountable and leaving no Committee unreservedly commended the innately human capability, historical stone unturned. institution for good governance (council) documentation clearly insinuates that The briefing session took place on and management (executive) of the uni- this is an exclusively white male ability. Tuesday, March 16 and was led by the versity, as well as the university’s respon- This dates from the 16th century where University’s Chairperson of Council, Ms siveness and sensitivity to the effects of “Europe began to reconstitute itself as Nomarashiya Caluza, whose presenta- Covid-19. Unizulu was considered to the authentic root of thinking”. During tion overview focused on governance have done well in embracing a strategic this era, global human experience was and management, teaching and learning approach developed by the department accounted for by white male figures from during lockdown, student performance of responding to the impact of Covid-19 Spain, Portugal, the UK, Germany and statistics and success rates, infrastructure through the introduction of a multimodal France, regardless of time, context and development projects, finances and audit system of teaching and learning. In this spatiality. outcomes, NSFAS disbursement and read- regard, the portfolio committee indicated “This way of thinking, which pre- iness state for 2021. that most universities were experiencing sumes that there is no thinking outside The university was commended for difficulties. In essence, it was deemed of white male thinking, can be traced its implementation and roll-out of the that other universities could take a leaf back to the father of Western philos- multimodal approach since the national out of Unizulu’s book. Most challenges ophy, René Descartes, who developed lockdown, which posed a threat to the (accommodation, funding, etc) discussed what is popularly known as the Cog- academic enterprise. The university pro- were considered to be serious, but not ito, ergo sum, which means ‘I think, vided students with laptops and data to peculiar to Unizulu, as they were prev- therefore I am’. There are many inter- ensure they were able to continue with alent across the board,” Nkwanyana said. pretations of this notion, but the main their studies, irrespective of location. “We commend all stakeholders for one is the idea that he was laying a Preparation and printing of hard copy their continued collaborative efforts in foundation for secular foundationalism, study material, as well as the packing, making Unizulu a high performing whereby a human being placed himself sorting and delivery of this study mate- institution.” in the position of God to pronounce a self-evident truth that is unmediated Professor Morgan Ndlovu supports the idea of a centre for African thought being established at the University of Zululand. by experience. “This marked the end of the ‘political’ ing and experiences of an African. This Responding to the presentation, Prof Cele, a lecturer in the Department of Soci- in the form of critical reflectivity on is the type of role a centre for African Siphamandla Zondi, a professor of pol- ology, was in awe of the profound words the part of those who were unfortunate thought would seek to play. It would itics and international relations at the uttered by the academic giants, saying enough to exist on the dominated side embrace all forms of African thinking, University of Johannesburg, agreed with they would resonate in the classrooms, of the ‘colonial power difference’, as including occurrences outside the acad- Prof Ndlovu. through teaching and learning, research they had to rely on the truth of another emy. He said Unizulu could establish and and community engagement. human being who positioned himself as Some of the characteristics of an successfully run the centre by employ- “The centre will be a repository to an imperial God,” Prof Ndlovu said. ideally African centre within an institu- ing a few cost-effective measures that strengthen, reshape our thinking and Over the years, scholars began to tion like Unizulu would include priv- included harnessing Afro-sensed knowl- learning as well as research. It will allow question Descartes’ theory, ultimately ileging the histories and perspectives of edge(s) in the institution; encouraging for freedom of writing. Like Steve Biko giving rise to anti-Cartesian meditations, the people of southern Africa from the dialogue among students and academics; said: ‘I write what I like.’ We will now the objective of which is to challenge pre-colonial era to the present; cross-fer- making the centre a repository for papers write what we like. We will write about epistemic solipsism of the Western sub- tilising African knowledge(s) into the of prominent scholars and activists, first our lives, about Africa, about being Afri- ject. university’s curriculum; and dealing with in the province and then across the cans and activities that happen inside With African knowledge having been dynamics of dominant recognition by world; and positioning the centre as a and outside of the university,” she said, shunned, Prof Ndlovu believes there is deliberately encouraging the citation of fraternity, as that was the direction being adding that the committee would work a strong need to rewrite the history of African scholars who were historically taken by most centres. hard in ensuring that the centre was Africa, this time through the eyes, think- not represented. In her vote of thanks, Dr Smangele established and functioned. Gearing up for the 2021 academic year The University of Zululand is ecstatic Faculty of Commerce, Administration about the prospect of another fruitful and Law, where 3 981 students registered. academic year with first-time entering The Faculty of Education has the sec- students (FTENs) as well as returning ond-highest number of returning stu- students. dents registered – 3 854. In the faculties After finalising the 2020 academic of Arts the number of returning students year, which ended at the beginning of is 3 665, and in Science and Agriculture March, the university commenced its 3 330. registration process from March 1 to 19 It is worth noting that among the this year. In line with the Covid-19 reg- FTENs is the first cohort of students reg- ulations aimed at minimising the risk istered to study towards the newly-ac- of infections, students registered online credited engineering qualifications, the using either hand-held devices or com- Bachelor of Engineering in Mechanical puters. Engineering and the Bachelor of Engi- More than 3 500 FTENs have suc- neering in Electrical Engineering. A total cessfully registered. Of those, 28% have number of 76 students have enrolled, 34 enrolled in programmes offered in the of whom have chosen the electrical engi- Faculty of Arts, 29% in the Faculty of neering stream and 42 the mechanical Commerce, Administration and Law, 21% engineering route. in the Faculty of Education, and 22% in All FTENs were welcomed to the insti- the Faculty of Science and Agriculture. tution during the orientation programme The number of returning students that began on March 23 and concludes Nomarashiya Caluza, Chairperson of Unizulu Council, led the recent meeting between the institution is 11 283. The highest intake is in the today, March 30. and the Portfolio Committee on Higher Education, Science and Technology.