In a dramatic turn of events, South Africa’s Zulu monarch, King Misuzulu kaZwelithini, publicly challenged professor and cultural commentator Musa Xulu to a traditional stick fight, claiming Xulu had insulted him and the Zulu nation.
The king issued the challenge before thousands at the annual Reed Dance held at his new eMashobeni palace, vowing to defend Zulu culture and accusing critics of trying to dictate how he should rule.
Speaking to the reporters, Xulu said he took the king’s words as a joke but admitted he feared for his safety after receiving threats, confirming he had reported the matter to police. He believes the monarch was angered by his media interview questioning the decision to move to the new palace, calling it potentially wasteful given the heavy spending recently made to refurbish Enyokeni, the Reed Dance’s long standing venue.
“Public finance is fair comment,” Xulu said, adding that stick fighting is meant for equals and noting that the last time he participated was during his childhood.
