A woman was detained by police on Thursday after attempting to rush the stage where South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and Zulu King Misuzulu kaZwelithini were seated during the unveiling of a 12-meter statue of King Shaka at Durban’s King Shaka International Airport.
Witness Reports
Witnesses report that the woman, apparently a guest at the ceremony, arrived via a shuttle from the airport to a nearby sports field, where she quickly approached the stage.
She then climbed the stairs and attempted to reach Ramaphosa and King Misuzulu before security intervened. Observers noted her insistence on speaking with the king, although her intentions remain unclear.
Police Response
Security struggled to restrain the woman, who reportedly struck two officers before being removed by the VIP protection unit. Police have not yet issued an official statement regarding the incident or confirmed the woman’s intended target.
The statue unveiling marked a significant moment for the Zulu community, as the new artwork replaced a previous sculpture criticized for depicting King Shaka inaccurately as a “herdboy” rather than the “warrior king” he was known to be.”
The incident briefly disrupted an event designed to honour Zulu heritage, highlighting tensions around the statue’s symbolism and significance. Further information is awaited from authorities on the woman’s identity and motives.
A 14-Year Journey for King Shaka’s Statue
The unveiling marked the culmination of a 14-year journey fraught with controversy and delays. Originally commissioned in 2010 by the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) provincial government, the statue was designed by renowned artist Andries Botha.
However, shortly after the unveiling of Botha’s initial artwork, which depicted King Shaka standing between two cows, it was removed following criticism from the late King Goodwill Zwelithini and other royal family members.
Artist’s Dispute Over Remaining Artwork
The removal of King Shaka’s statue sparked a legal dispute between Botha and the provincial government. Botha argued that the cow sculptures, which remained on display after the main piece was taken down, misrepresented his artistic vision and violated his intellectual property rights.
He formally requested that the government either remove the entire artwork or refrain from placing another artist’s work alongside it. Although Botha’s requests have yet to be fully addressed, the KZN government has since moved forward with a new statue.
Approval by the Zulu Royal Family
This new statue, which was finally unveiled on 7 November, was crafted with careful adherence to Zulu royal protocols, which mandate that any representation of a Zulu King must receive family approval. The 6.5-meter statue had been hidden from public view behind scaffolding for months, awaiting the royal family’s official nod.
After receiving approval, King Misuzulu kaZwelithini led the unveiling ceremony, emphasizing its significance as a symbol of unity, strength, and pride for the Zulu nation and South Africa.
Honouring King Shaka’s Legacy
As one of history’s foremost military strategists, King Shaka united the Nguni clans into the powerful Zulu nation between 1816 and 1828. His legacy endures in Zulu culture, identity, and South African history. The new statue, situated at a major South African airport, aims to stand as a lasting tribute to King Shaka, celebrating his contributions to the country’s heritage.
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