Misuzulu Zulu
Misuzulu Sinqobile kaZwelithini is the reigning King of the Zulu nation after he was formally acknowledged as monarch by President Cyril Ramaphosa, who gave him a certificate of recognition.[1]
He is the eldest son of the late King Goodwill Zwelithini and the late Queen Mantfombi Dlamini. At the reading of the Queen Mantfombi will at Kwanongoma, KZN on 7 July 2021, he was named the preferred new Amazulu King.
After the naming of Prince Misuzulu as the preferred king, one Prince Thokozani stood up to object igniting commotion at the will reading. Misuzulu had to be carried away by security details as his safety was considered in danger following the drama.
It was reported that there were some rain showers following his naming. Rain in Zulu is called iZulu.
Background
He was born Misuzulu Sinqobile Zulu.
Siblings
Prince Bambindlovu Zulu, Princess Ntandoyesizwe Zulu, Princess Nomkhosi Zulu, Prince Simengaye Zulu, and Prince Bukhosibemvelo Zulu. View a list of all his siblings here.
Naming as King
On the night of 7 May 2021, following the burial of Prince Misuzulu's mother, Queen Regent Mantfombi Dlamini Zulu’s will was read at Kwakhangelamankengane Royal Palace. The will named Prince Misuzulu as the next king of the Zulu nation, if he accepted the nomination.
The reading of the will was broadcast live on television. Lawyer advocate Madoda Madonsela SC read the will.
After the announcement, Prince Thokozani Zulu stood up to protest the nomination, questioning if Queen Mantfombi’s appointment as regent, had met the legal requirements as prescribed by the government. Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi, the traditional prime minister of the Zulu nation, called on Prince Thokozani to sit down.
Members of Prince Misuzulu's security detail grabbed and took him into a room at the Kwakhangelamankengane Royal Palace. Soon afterward, security personnel and police were seen, with guns drawn. They escorted the prince into an SUV and a convoy took him away from the palace at high speed.
There were some showers of rain afterward, something considered a symbol confirming the naming of Prince Misuzulu that night.
While there was initially some drama and confusion at the palace, there was later celebration and singing of praise songs for the naming of the new king.
Age
Misuzulu Zulu was born on 23 September 1974 in KwaHlabisa, KwaZulu-Natal.[2]
Wife
Misuzulu Zulu reportedly married Ntokozo Mayisela who is the mother of his two children on 6 May 2021, a day before his mother Queen Regent Mantfombi Dlamini-Zulu was “planted” (buried).[3]
On 13 May 2021, Misuzulu sent a royal delegation to pay lobola for Ntokozo Mayisela. The Mayisela family demanded eight cows and R50 000 in cash.[4]
Children
Misuzulu Zulu reportedly has two children with Ntokozo Mayisela.[3]
Misuzulu Zulu has a baby mama, Princess Wezizwe Sigcau, a member of the AmaMpondo Royal House in the Eastern Cape. Sigcau is the mother of Prince Jubezizweni Sigcau-Zulu, Misuzulu’s other son.[5]
Education
Misuzulu Zulu studied for a degree in International Studies in Jacksonville, Florida.[2] He was educated in the USA, courtesy of a partly Swazi royal scholarship.[6] In his early education, he was sent to Assembly of God Primary School. In 1985, he was enrolled at Roseland Primary School in Phoenix so he could learn more about the Zulu culture and later St. Michaels School in eSwatini where he is said to have only insisted on learning Zulu.
Service / Career
At the time of his father's death in March 2021, Prince Misuzulu who is the eldest surviving son of Zwelithini and the king’s third wife, Queen Mantfombi Dlamini was a front-runner in the race to succeed Zwelithini.[7]
Meeting With Princess Nombuso Zulu
Prince Misuzulu and Princess Nombuso had a meeting on Friday 25 June 2021 in what was described as a first step to finding a solution to the impasse regarding the succession of King Goodwill Zwelithini. In a letter written in isiZulu, Prince Misuzulu informed Mangosuthu Buthelezi who had advised him not to meet with Princess Nombuso, that he preferred an out-of-court settlement to the dispute to avoid having a court process that drags on for years.
After the meeting, Princess Nombuso said there was no bad blood between her and Prince Misuzulu. She said:
"We are family. It was just me and my brother talking, but the whole family is fully aware and in support of the dialogue, and they approve. We are not doing anything in hiding. The dialogue is a process for us to get to where we want to go."
"Undisputed Successor"
On Wednesday, 02 March 2022, Pietermaritzburg High Court Deputy Judge President Mjabuliseni Madondo ruled that the coronation of Prince Misuzulu kaZwelithini as the king of the Zulu nation can go ahead, saying "He is the undisputed successor to the throne."[9]
Zulu princesses Ntandoyenkosi Zulu and Zulu-Duma had sought an interdict against the coronation of Prince Misuzulu, citing the “forgery” of Zwelethini’s will as the basis for this.
The late king had named Queen Mantfombi Dlamini Zulu, who is considered in Zulu custom to be the “great wife” because she hailed from eSwatini royalty, as his heir.
However, Queen Mantfombi died before she could ascend to the throne. She named her eldest son Prince Misuzulu, as her successor and the judge said her will had not been challenged.
Recognition By State President
On Wednesday, 16 March 2022, President Cyril Ramaphosa recognised King-Elect Prince Misuzulu Sinqobile Zulu as King of AmaZulu Kingship.[10]
President Ramaphosa’s recognition of the King-Elect followed consultations with the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs and the Premier of KwaZulu-Natal as required by the Traditional and Khoi-San Leadership Act, 2019.
Coronation
King Misuzulu ka Zwelithini was formally acknowledged as monarch by President Cyril Ramaphosa, who gave him a certificate of recognition on 29 October 2022. The coronation took place at the Moses Mabhida Stadium.[11]
Among other provisions, the certificate of recognition confirms that the King has the powers to govern His Majesty’s area of jurisdiction in terms of custom, customary and applicable laws.
The event was attended by former president Jacob Zuma, deputy president David Mabuza, Mswati III, Patrice Motsepe, former president Thabo Mbeki and many politicians, actors, actresses, journalists, royal members, musicians and crowds of people.
Pictures
Prince Misuzulu Zulu at King Goodwill Zwelithini's funeral
Meaning of his name
The name Misuzulu has been reported to mean "The one who will unite".
References
- ↑ Zulu coronation: King Misuzulu crowned in historic South Africa ceremony, Nomsa Maseko & Nobuhle Simelane, Published: 29 October 2022, Retrieved 04 November 2022
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 King Goodwill Zwelithini: Who is next in line for the throne?, The South African, Published: March 19, 2021, Retrieved: March 21, 2021
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Sihle Mavuso, Documents show new Zulu King Misuzulu got married last week, IOL, Published: May 11, 2021, Retrieved: May 12, 2021
- ↑ Sihle Mavuso, Eight cows and R50 000 cash lobola for new Zulu queen Ntokozo Mayisela, IOL, Published: May 13, 2021, Retrieved: May 13, 2021
- ↑ PIC: MEET ZULU KING'S NEW MAKOTI, Daily Sun, Published: May 11, 2021, Retrieved: May 12, 2021
- ↑ MANTFOMBI, ZOLA’S KIDS FOR ZULU KINGSHIP, Times Of Swaziland, Published: January 19, 2014, Retrieved: May 6, 2021
- ↑ Clive Ndou, Zulu throne could go to eldest son, The Witness, Published: March 12, 2021, Retrieved: March 21, 2021
- ↑ Zimasa Matiwane, Zulu royal family: Meetings, but throne still empty, Sunday Times, Published: June 27, 2021, Retrieved: June 28, 2021
- ↑ LISTEN | Judge gives go ahead for 'undisputed successor' Prince Misuzulu to become Zulu king, TANIA BROUGHTON, Published: 02 March 2022, Retrieved 04 November 2022
- ↑ Ramaphosa Recognises Prince Misizulu As The New Zulu King, Staff Reporter, Published: 16 March 2022, Retrieved 04 November 2022
- ↑ Ramaphosa hands over official certificate of recognition to AmaZulu King, Published: 29 October 2022, Retrieved 04 November 2022
