King Misuzulu kaZwelithini has called on the Zulu regiments (amabutho) to unite and defend the monarch.

Speaking on the last day of the first fruits ceremony (umkhosi woselwa) at Mashobeni royal palace in Nongoma in northern KwaZulu-Natal on Thursday afternoon, the king thanked the amabutho for their loyalty.

“Today is not a day for long speeches but I wish to call on you to unite and defend the monarch. I also wish to thank you for making sure this ceremony was a success,” he said.

The king said umkhosi woselwa took place again after a break during the reign of his late father King Zwelithini. He said the ceremony was done at Mashobeni palace, a revamped palace of the late King Shaka kaSenzangakhona.

“This was a palace of King Shaka the founder of the Zulu nation, who united different clans to be a world-renowned nation,” he said.