1933 – Zulu King Solomon kaDinuzulu Dies

On May 29, 1933, King Solomon kaDinuzulu of the Zulu nation passed away, leaving a contested legacy as a monarch under colonial rule. Born in 1891 and crowned in 1913, Solomon struggled to assert traditional authority amid British domination in South Africa. Though often politically constrained, he supported movements resisting land dispossession and called for African unity. His reign saw the early stirrings of the ANC’s formation and increased awareness of Pan-African identity among southern African leaders. His death marked the end of an era of semi-autonomous Zulu kingship during colonial encroachment. Today, King Solomon is remembered for preserving Zulu cultural identity in a time of transition and resistance. May 29 is an opportunity to reflect on African monarchies navigating colonial suppression and their role in cultural preservation, political negotiation, and spiritual leadership across the continent.