Celani Sikhakhane
Two key members of the Zulu Royal Family, Prince Mbonisi Zulu of eKhwezi and Princess Thembi Ndlovu, have been taken seriously ill and remain in critical condition.
Scrolla.Africa has been reliably informed that the royal siblings, Prince Mbonisi and Princess Thembi, have suffered respectively from a stroke and dangerously low blood pressure.
Princess Thembi also suffers from kidney failure, but she has lived with this condition since 2008 and visits her doctor for weekly check-ups.
The princess was admitted to a Newcastle hospital last week after her blood pressure dropped to a dangerously low level.
“She is in ICU and we hope she will recover soon and come back,” a source told Scrolla.Africa.
“She was even unable to attend the royal family meeting which was held recently at Thokazi Royal Lodge in Nongoma to officially announce Prince Simakade as the rival contender to the throne against King Misuzulu.”
Prince Mbonisi, who led the meeting, suffered a stroke on Tuesday morning. He was not admitted to hospital but is being treated by a traditional leader.
“They did not take him to hospital but a traditional healer was organised to heal him. This is really bad,” said another source in the royal family.
“Remember Prince Mbonisi and Princess Thembi are the key royal members who are very important so that Prince Simakade could be able to ascend to the throne.”
The siblings are often referred to as the Royal Rebels.
Zulu Royal spokesperson, Prince Thulani Zulu said he could not confirm the news of the serious illness of the two royals.
He said he was at INgwavuma, so he has not been updated about any developments that have taken place in the family.
“Princess Thembi lives in Newcastle so it would be difficult for me to know if anything happened. Prince Mbonisi is in Nongoma and I have not been to KwaNongoma for a while. I don’t know anything,” said Prince Thulani.
Cultural expert Professor Sihawu Ngubane of the University of KwaZulu-Natal said it is quite difficult to understand the illness of the royals.
“Some might say it is the anger of the ancestors but one should remember that these two are facing serious pressure with all the incidents that are taking place in the Royal Family,” he said.
“Everyone is looking up to them as special.”
