ESCOURT: A small South African tribe and Britain have made peace more than 100 years after the former colonial power dethroned their king, ruthlessly crushed a rebellion and drove them out of their homeland.

In an emotional reconciliation ceremony in South Africa's eastern KwaZulu-Natal province this week, the British government joined the amaHlubi to bury the hatchet and acknowledge historical wrongs.

"We are very happy, today is a great day for us," said Prince Langalibalele, the great great-grandson of the amaHlubi king who died in 1889 after being imprisoned for leading rebellion against colonial rule during the Anglo-Zulu war of the late 1800s.

The ceremony was held at the amaHlubi's tribal base in the foothills of the scenic Drakensberg mountains. "As a nation, we believe our kings continue to rule us even after death. You cannot have a ruler with so much power continue to exist as a prisoner," Langalibalele said, speaking of his forefather.

British High Commissioner (Ambassador) to South Africa, Ann Grant, said she did not realize that the "breaking of the chains was still such an important issue." Thousands of people cheered and ululated as a visibly moved Grant handed over a chair, a leopard skin cape and a staff - all symbols of monarchy - to an equally moved King Langalibalele II.

For the remaining 10,000 amaHlubi living here, the handover of these symbols represents an acknowledgement by the British of their king's authority. Born in 1818, Langalibalele I was regarded by his people as a demi-god who possessed supernatural powers.

For his people, who claim to have been the largest tribe in KwaZulu-Natal - now a Zulu heartland - prior to the 1880 wars, the ceremony was another step towards regaining their lost status.

Four years ago, the South African government returned more than 8,000 hectares of land to amaHlubi, who were driven away from their homeland by the British. British envoy Grant said "no amount of money could ever compensate for what happened in this situation," and added that while no formal apology had been demanded from Britain, the ceremony pointed the way to a "new relationship, a new partnership." -AFP