By Celani Sikhakhane
• King Letsie III of Lesotho joined the Zulu royal family in Durban as Princess Ntando kaZwelithini celebrated her 50th birthday at a glamorous gathering.
• Princess Bukhosibemvelo kaZwelithini said the celebration brought King Goodwill Zwelithini’s children together and strengthened ties between the Zulu and Basotho royal families.
he Zulu and Basotho royal families came together in Durban on Saturday to celebrate Princess Ntando kaZwelithini’s 50th birthday.
The lavish celebration was held at the Oyster Box Hotel in uMhlanga and was attended by King Letsie III of Lesotho, Queen Masenate Mohato Seeiso and several local and international guests.
Princess Ntando is married to businessman Moses Tembe, whose company operates South Africa’s National Lottery.
The event was filled with music, glamour and royal tradition as members of both kingdoms celebrated the special occasion.
The gathering also came at a time when South Africa is experiencing heated debates over illegal immigration and growing tensions involving foreign nationals in parts of the country.
Princess Bukhosibemvelo kaZwelithini said the birthday celebration was about more than marking a milestone.
She said it also reunited the children of the late King Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu and strengthened the bond between the Zulu and Basotho royal families.
“Besides everything, the party reunited the children of our father, King Goodwill Zwelithini. We really enjoyed the special moment with King Letsie III and Queen Masenate. The birthday was a real unity of the Zulu and Basotho royals,” she told Scrolla.Africa.
Princess Ntando was born on 26 June 1976.
She is the eldest daughter of the late King Goodwill Zwelithini and the late Queen Mantfombi Dlamini Zulu, who was a Swazi princess.
Because of her parents’ royal backgrounds, Princess Ntando has royal links to both the Zulu royal family and the House of Dlamini in Eswatini.
She has also played an important role in Zulu cultural traditions.
In 2005, she served as the principal chief princess and led the Zulu maidens during the annual cultural ceremonies.
The birthday celebration highlighted the long-standing relationship between the Zulu and Basotho royal houses and brought together members of one of South Africa’s most well-known royal families for a rare public reunion.
Pictured above: King Letsie III of Lesotho joined the Zulu royal family as Princess Ntando kaZwelithini celebrated her 50th birthday in Durban.
Image source: Supplied
