The Shembe Church has delivered 24 cows to the Zulu royal house in preparation for its annual church service at the Enyokeni Royal Palace in Nongoma, KwaZulu-Natal. The event will take place over the weekend of 16 to 17 November, with thousands of church members expected to attend.
On Wednesday, 13 November, Inkosi Mduduzi “Unyazi” Shembe, leader of the Ebuhleni faction of the Shembe Church, personally delivered the cows to the royal palace. The animals will be prepared as food for the two-day service, a key part of the church’s tradition.
This year’s service is especially significant, as it will be the first time the Shembe Church hosts the event with King Misuzulu, following his recent baptism by Inkosi Unyazi. While King Misuzulu has been a member of the Shembe Church for some time, his baptism earlier this year formalized his spiritual connection to the church.
Prince Simphiwe of the Zulu royal house confirmed that around 30,000 church members are expected to attend. “The church leaders sent the cows for the service, and everything is in place for the event,” he said. Saturday will feature the church service, while Sunday will be marked by Umgidi, a celebration of traditional church dances.
The annual church service at the royal palace began after a reconciliation between the Shembe Church and the Zulu royal family in 2013. This followed a feud that began in 2010 when the late King Zwelithini was prevented from visiting the ailing church leader, Inkosi Vimbeni “Uthingo” Shembe. Since then, the church has hosted the service annually, ahead of the Umkhosi woSelwa (First-Fruit Ceremony) in December.
