Zulu Royal rebels finally pledge loyalty to the new king

Zukile Majova

It took a daylong meeting for senior members of the Zulu Royal Household to convince a faction of royal rebels in the family to pledge their loyalty to the new Zulu Monarch King Misuzulu Zulu kaZwelithini.

Prince Mboniso and Princess Thembi had led a revolt that even challenged the authority of Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi, the Traditional Prime Minister of the Zulu Monarch and Nation.

Saturday’s meeting also dealt with attempts by late King Goodwill Zwelithini’s first wife Queen Sibongile Dlamini and her daughters Princess Ntandoyenkosi and Princess Ntombizosuthu, who went to the Pietermaritzburg High Court to challenge the validity of King Zwelithini’s will.

It was by the King’s will that his third wife Queen Mantfombi Dlamini Zulu became regent of the Zulu Nation.

That will also give Queen Mantfombi powers to nominate her son Prince Misuzulu to ascend the throne.

After yesterday’s meeting, Prince Buthelezi confirmed there had been other family members with an interest in the throne but said this had been resolved and was not unusual.

“Each time a new king is bestowed, there are always others wishing to claim the throne. So it’s quite common right through the history of the Zulu nation.”

The new king then made a dash to Swaziland where he lived in the house of his uncle Swati King Makhosetive Mswati III, his mother’s brother.

“As the king has been staying in eSwatini for a long time, and he only came home because of the matters besetting the homestead, he has gone back to eSwatini to prepare for his permanent return home as king.

“He’ll be gone for a week because we can’t crown him and then let him stay in eSwatini,” Prince Buthelezi told a media briefing at KwaKhangelamankengana Palace.

In terms of government protocol, KwaZulu-Natal Premier Sihle Zikalala has requested minutes of the meeting where Queen Mantfombi’s will was read.

The process to recognise King Misuzulu kaZwelithini will then involve Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma and finally be rubber stamped by President Cyril Ramaphosa.

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