Zulu royal Prince Thuthukani Zulu of the KwaNxangiphilile house has proposed that Richards Bay’s John Ross highway be renamed in honour of his great-grandfather, King Cetshwayo kaMpande Zulu.

The call was made on Thursday during a commemoration and heritage site visit at eSikhaleni seNkosi in the Port Durnford area, where King Cetshwayo was brought ashore after his exile.

The visit was organised by the King Cetshwayo District Municipality as part of build-up events ahead of the annual commemoration of the Battle of Isandlwana, set to take place on 22 January in Nquthu.

Addressing attendees, Prince Thuthukani urged decision-makers to recognise the king’s historical significance through meaningful place naming.

“When the district makes decisions, it should consider the impact of King Cetshwayo by honouring his legacy.

“The John Ross highway should be renamed after him. Other roads in the city can carry the John Ross name, because we do not even know his legacy,” said the prince.

King Cetshwayo kaMpande is regarded as one of the most respected monarchs in Zulu history and is best known for leading the Zulu Kingdom during the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879.

Following his defeat, he was captured and taken aboard the ship Natal on 4 September 1879 and exiled to the Cape Town Castle under the terms of the Treaty of Ulundi.

After three years and four months in exile, he was returned to Zululand, landing at eSikhalenisenkosi.

After his release, King Cetshwayo was later reinstated as king of a reduced Zululand by Sir Theophilus Shepstone on 29 January 1883.

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