CULTURAL experts and the Mhlongo family have rejected King Shaka statue that has been put up at King Shaka International Airport in Durban and is waiting to be unveiled.
Cultural expert Zanele Mvubu said: “I’ve seen the statue and that’s not King Shaka. His features are too feminine.
“We know through research of oral and family history that King Shaka was not feminine. We also know he never carried a long spear, but preferred a short spear. We were hoping they would correct these mistakes.”
Edmund Mhlongo, whose clan Shaka’s mum Queen Nandi belonged to, said it was disappointing to see the statue.
“The biggest disappointment is the weapon he is carrying. Shaka did not use the long hunting spear, which most statues, including this one, show him with,” he said.
“I hoped this statue would correct the colonial image, which ignored the innovation of Shaka when it came to spears and warfare. We know who advises when it comes to important matters regarding our cultural heritage.
“It’s not the family but experts and professors who reference colonial and missionary writers.”
Speaking on behalf of the Mhlongo family, Mhlathuze Mhlongo said they were not surprised that the statue was based on false facts.
“We’re not surprised. The Zulu family didn’t raise King Shaka, we did. The Mhlongos taught him how to fight and that was how he learnt the technique of using a short spear,” he said.
The KZN Department of Arts and Culture referred all questions to the Zulu royal house.
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Prince Thulani Zulu said: “The Mhlongo family should approach the royal house and stop discussing internal matters with the media.”
