AmaZulu King Misuzulu kaZwelithini has renewed his call for KwaZulu-Natal to be renamed, saying the removal of “Natal” would restore the identity, dignity and history of the Zulu nation.
The monarch arrived at Woodburn Stadium in Pietermaritzburg on Thursday to officially open the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature, accompanied by his queens and members of the royal household.
His entrance was marked by traditional hymns from Zulu regiments, oMama and maidens, signalling the start of the ceremonial proceedings.
King Misuzulu kaZwelithini was received by Legislature Speaker Nontembeko Boyce and Premier Thami Ntuli, before a guard of honour from the South African Police Service saluted him.
Boyce said the king’s address would help guide Members of the Provincial Legislature as they begin the third session of the seventh administration.
In his speech, the monarch argued that removing the name “Natal” would correct what he described as a colonial legacy, while still respecting the province’s history.
“I am making a call to this province for a new name, ‘KwaZulu’, and to take the name Natal away,” he said, adding that the change was long overdue.
Although acknowledging that the issue has sparked debate, the king urged unity around the proposal, saying it was necessary to reclaim cultural identity and honour the past.
He also criticised the use of colonial-era language such as “discovery,” noting that indigenous communities had long inhabited the land.
The renaming call adds to ongoing discussions about heritage, identity and transformation in the province, as lawmakers prepare for the new legislative term.