Cultural expert and Professor of Music, Musa Xulu, has apologised to Zulu traditional Prime Minister Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi for his comments on the Zulu King and religious rituals.
In September, Xulu, who works at the University of Zululand, accused Buthelezi and Anglican Church Bishop Thabo Makgoba of enforcing colonial rituals on the Zulu king.
“The same colonial rituals were performed in 1873 by Theophilus Shepstone on behalf of Queen Victoria to destroy the foundation the Zulu nation laid,” he said.
This was after the Anglican bishops were called on stage to perform rituals on King Misuzulu ka Zwelithini during the handing over of his recognition certificate by President Cyril Ramaphosa.
At the time, Xulu went on to issue a public statement where he angrily asked Buthelezi and Makgoba to explain the relevance of the rituals.
He also said that only Shembe church should have been allowed to perform African rituals on the King because it was not the coronation of the British king.
On Tuesday, Xulu wrote to Buthelezi asking for his unconditional forgiveness from him and Bishop Makgoba.
“I write this letter Shenge [Buthelezi’s clan name] to unconditionally apologise for the hurt I have caused to you and the Bishop of Cape Town, Thabo Makgoba. I humble myself that the statement I made during the certificate recognition of King Misuzulu kaZwelithini was against the Anglican Church rituals that were performed to his Majesty,” said Xulu.
Xulu was fired as a deputy director general of the National Department of Arts and Culture over allegations of tender irregularities in 2000.
He later worked as the municipal manager of Mandeni Local Municipality a year later in 2001.
At that time, it was alleged that he had started to make unreasonable demands of the municipality, including asking for a R12,000 loan and a R320,000 car allowance.
Pictured above: Professor Musa Xulu.
Image Source:University of Zululand
