Cape Town — A woman alleged to be a guest at at the unveiling of a King Shaka statue at King Shaka International Airport in Durban, has been arrested.
In a video that was shared on social media, the woman was being taken away from the proceedings by police and security after she had tried to force her way through to speak to King Misuzulu kaZwelithini.
According to TimesLIVE, witnesses said the woman had gotten off the shuttle carrying the guests from the airport to a nearby sports field for the ceremony when she tried to make her way to the front of the stage, where she climbed the stairs and tried to lunge at Ramaphosa and the Zulu monarch.
Police officers managed to contain the women who struggled to get out of their grip as she was escorted out of the vicinity.
It has not yet been established who the woman’s target was.
[WATCH] An unidentified woman tries to force her way through the police line, demanding to see King Misuzulu kaZwelithini at King Shaka International Airport where President Cyril Ramaphosa and the monarch are unveiling the statue of the founder of the Zulu nation.#Newzroom405 pic.twitter.com/ii6PXKinVX
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) November 7, 2024
Ramaphosa was at the event to unveil the brand new 12m statue at the airport in honour of the man who founded the Zulu kingdom. He delivered a speech and paid homage to the current Zulu monarch and emphasised the importance of the Zulu kingdom in South Africa.
“Today is a historic day for the Zulu people and all the people of South Africa. Today we raise the glory of King Shaka ka Senzangakhona, the founder of a great nation. He was a warrior king, a unifier and a reformer,” Ramaphosa said.
Ramaphosa said the statue was a proud testament to the glorious era of the Zulu nation during King Shaka’s reign and would serve as a source of pride in King Shaka’s life, history and contribution.
“This statue will not only inspire visitors to our country, it will also invite other visitors to come and see this statue —a representation of a great king,” Ramaphosa mused.
King Shaka kaSenzangakhona, the founding father of the Zulu nation, whose leadership and military strategy forged one of the most powerful kingdoms in Southern Africa. pic.twitter.com/cuYq64PBLK
— The Presidency 🇿🇦 (@PresidencyZA) November 7, 2024
Ramaphosa held up King Shaka’s legacy as a source of pride being reclaimed by the current generation reaping the benefits of democracy.
“The statue that we unveiled, is a testament to unity, a testament to nation-building, of cohesion, of oneness. It talks to principled leadership that puts the greater good above narrow interests,” he continued.
He added that the statue was a wish of the late King Zwelithini and was honoured to be able to fulfil the late King’s wish.
We are honoured that we have been able to fulfil his vision. King Shaka reshaped his people’s destiny. May this statue continue to honour his memory as a beacon of courage, resilience and leadership,” he concluded.
His Excellency President @CyrilRamaphosa unveils the Statue of King Shaka kaSenzangakhona at the King Shaka International Airport in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal.
The President is joined by His Majesty King Misizulu KaZwelithini and KZN Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli. #KhulaNgonyama pic.twitter.com/zOLBz2yTKl
— The Presidency 🇿🇦 (@PresidencyZA) November 7, 2024
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Compiled by Matthew Petersen
