SA Navy names multi-mission inshore patrol vessel after legendary King Shaka Zulu

King Misuzulu and his entourage at the naming ceremony. Picture: Nqobile Mbonambi/ African News Agency (ANA)

King Misuzulu and his entourage at the naming ceremony. Picture: Nqobile Mbonambi/ African News Agency (ANA)

Published Oct 28, 2023

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The Zulu royal family has expressed satisfaction that one multi-mission inshore patrol vessel of the South African Navy in the Durban naval base has been named after the legendary King Shaka.

The navy in Durban unveiled the vessel on Friday.

This significant milestone forms part of Project Biro which marks substantial advancement in South Africa's maritime security capabilities and underscores the country's commitment to bolstering its coastal defence capabilities.

Among those who attended the unveiling and naming ceremony was King Misuzulu Ka Zwelithini, the current reigning monarch of the Zulu nation.

In his brief speech, King Misuzulu blessed the unveiling.

King Misuzulu and his entourage at the naming ceremony. Picture: Nqobile Mbonambi/ African News Agency (ANA)

Speaking to the media on behalf of the king on the sidelines of the ceremony, Prince Africa Zulu, the royal spokesperson said they welcomed the gesture.

“The King and the entire Zulu royal family are pleased by the gesture of the South African Navy to embroider the name of King Shaka, the founder and the hero of the Zulu nation.

He added what was more pleasing was that it was named after a legendary King who was an African military genius.

“This means a lot to us as the Zulu royal family as King Shaka was a military genius of note,” Prince Africa said.

— Sihle Mavuso (@ZANewsFlash) October 27, 2023

King Shaka Zulu founded the Zulu nation in 1816 by conquering smaller tribes and incorporating them into the Zulu clan.

Other tribes voluntarily surrendered to be incorporated while others put up a fight and he defeated them.

He is best known for his innovation of the bull’s horn formation, where younger troops would flank and encircle enemy combatants before joining the fight.

The vessel named after King Shaka. Picture: Nqobile Mbonambi/ African News Agency/ANA

He was the first Zulu king to create a standing army that would time and again be commissioned to fight battles and conquer other tribes.

King Shaka was later assassinated in September 1828 by his half-brothers, the then Prince Dingane (he later took the throne and became King of the Zulu nation) and Prince Mhlangana.

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