Pretoria - President Jacob Zuma will this afternoon join in the 200 years celebration of King Shaka, the Presidency said on Saturday.
President Zuma will attend the celebrations of the founding of the Zulu nation by King Shaka kaSenzangakhona at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban, said the Presidency’s Dr Bongani Ngqulunga.
The event will be officiated by King Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu.
The city of Durban has been gearing up for the celebrations with tens of thousands expected to flock to the stadium.
About 379 buses have been procured to transport visitors from across the province to the stadium.
As part of the day’s programme, Shembe congregants will host a prayer session with King Zwelithini at the same time an intercultural parade will make its way from Sahara Stadium to Moses Mabhida Stadium.
The multicultural parade will include Burundian drummers, traditional Nigerians dance group, Indian dancers, and young maidens, said the Provincial Arts and Culture department.
KwaZulu-Natal Premier Willies Mchunu said the commemoration is a huge milestone for the Zulu Nation.
“This is a huge milestone for the Zulu-nation and we only hope that this celebration will seek to strengthen the unity of this nation and all KwaZulu-Natal citizens so that we can all work together to move our province forward.
“We also celebrate 45 years of His Majesty being in the throne and we thank him for his wise leadership. As the Provincial Executive we call upon all citizens of the province to come out in their numbers to Moses Mabhida to witness this historic day,” said the Premier.
Meanwhile, President Zuma will this morning open the 17th Conference of Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) that is being held at the Sandton International Convention Centre. – SAnews.gov.za
