A new Zulu king has been crowned at a historic event attended by thousands in South Africa’s coastal city of Durban.

King Misuzulu ka Zwelithini was formally acknowledged as monarch by President Cyril Ramaphosa, who gave him a certificate of recognition in the first post-apartheid coronation.

President Cyril Ramaphosa handed over a giant framed certificate officially recognizing the 48-year-old new ruler Zulu nation.

“Our king, is indeed officially the King of the Zulu nation and the only king of the Zulu nation,” said Ramaphosa to loud applause at an 85,000-seater soccer stadium.

The king vowed to promote “peace and reconciliation” and to “be a catalyst” for development.

The coronation of the ruler of the country’s richest monarchy comes after a year of bitter feuding over the royal succession that has spilled into the courts which was why the king’s half-brother, Prince Simakade and his uncle Prince Mbonisi snubbed the ceremony.

Misuzulu ascended the throne once held by his late father, Goodwill Zwelithini, who died in March 2021—after more than 50 years on the throne.

The crowning which followed a traditional coronation ceremony in August, is the first South Africa has witnessed in more than half a century.