Misuzulu Zulu

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Misuzulu Sinqobile
King Misuzulu Zulu.jpg
King of the Zulus
Reign7 May 2021 – present
CoronationTo be crowned.
PredecessorGoodwill Zwelithini
Born (1974-09-23) 23 September 1974 (age 47)
Hlabisa, KwaZulu (present-day Kwazulu-Natal), South Africa
SpouseNtokozo Mayisela
Issue3 children
Names
Misuzulu Sinqobile Hlomesakhishlangu kaZwelithini
HouseHouse of Zulu
FatherGoodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu
MotherPrincess Mantfombi Dlamini of Eswatini

Misuzulu Sinqobile Hlomesakhishlangu kaZwelithini (born 23 September 1974) is the reigning King of the Zulu nation. He is the oldest surviving son of King Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu and his Great Wife, Queen Mantfombi Dlamini. King Misuzulu became heir presumptive after the death of his father on 12 March 2021.[1][2] King Misuzulu was officially appointed as the next Zulu king on 7 May 2021, but his coronation has not yet taken place.[3][4]

Accession to the Throne[]

Despite being King Goodwill Zwelithini's second oldest surviving son, King Misuzulu's accession to the throne was not instant. Historically, King Misuzulu's claim to the throne would have been automatic, but the Zulu Kingdom now considers itself a constitutional monarchy, the leader of which must be appointed.[5] King Zwelithini's Great Wife, Queen Mantfombi Dlamini, was appointed regent during the interregnum and, on 24 March 2021, Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi issued a statement on behalf of the Zulu Royal Family stating that the new king would only be announced after the three-month mourning period for the late King Goodwill Zwelithini.[6] King Zwelithini's will gave the responsibility to appoint the next king to Queen Mantfombi.[7][8]

Immediately after the death of King Misuzulu's father, historians and cultural experts predicted that King Misuzulu would be the one appointed to the throne, as he was the son of the late King and the late King's Great Wife, giving him increased status among the late King's other 28 children.[9] At the time, some senior members of the royal family called the debate over succession "premature".[5] At King Goodwill Zwelithini's funeral service, the late king's sister, stated that the Royal Family did not yet know who the next king would be and that the individual would be "chosen by God".[10]

On 29 April 2021, approximately 7 weeks after the death of King Goodwill Zwelithini, Queen Regent Mantfombi Dlamini herself died from an unspecified illness, without having publicly appointed the next Zulu monarch.[11] However, on 7 May 2021, at the public reading of the late Queen's will, it emerged that she had appointed King Misuzulu as the next king of the Zulu nation.[12] The announcement was met with protest from certain members of the royal family and King Misuzulu, present at the reading of the will, was whisked away by the South African Police Service and a security detail from Eswatini.[13][14]

Legal dispute[]

On 2 May 2021, media reports revealed that court papers had been filed in the Pietermaritzburg High Court challenging the validity of the late King Goodwill Zwelithini's will.[15][16] The court challenge was launched by the late King's first wife, Sibongile Winifred Dlamini, and the two daughters she had with the King, Princess Ntandoyenkosi and Princess Ntombizosuthu. They sought to have the King's will declared invalid and set aside, on the basis of what they claimed was a fraudulent signature.[17][18] As an interim measure, they also filed a court application seeking to interdict the appointment of a new king or regent, pending the court's ruling on the validity of the late king's will.[19]

The King's first wife is not to be confused with the King's Great Wife, who was actually his third wife, but who held precedence over all other wives as she was from royalty herself, being a member of the Swazi Royal Family.[20] The late king married his first wife in terms of South Africa's civil marriages laws, but married his subsequent wives in terms of Zulu custom only, because South African law recognises polygamous customary marriages but not polygamous civil marriages. [21] The court challenge revolved around the validity of customary marriages subsequent to the first civil marriage, as well as an allegation that the signature on the late king's will was forged.[22] The matter was set down for hearing on 7 May 2021, the same day King Misuzulu was publicly appointed king.[23] The hearing of 7 May 2021 was heard in chambers, and postponed, with the litigant princesses later claiming they had no idea that Misuzulu would be appointed king later that day.[24]

On 21 May 2021, Princess Ntandoyenkosi and Princess Ntombizosuthu headed back to court in a bid to interdict the coronation of Misuzulu. In particular, the court papers sought an order interdicting the Premier of KwaZulu-Natal from taking any steps which would formally recognise Misuzulu as king of the Zulu nation, or alternatively, interdicting President Cyril Ramaphosa from issuing the certificate of recognition to Misuzulu.[25] In terms of section 9(2)(b) of , official recognition of a king or queen must be done by way of issuing a presidential certificate of recognition and publication of the recognition in the Government Gazette.[26] The Pietermaritzburg High Court agreed to adjourn the matter to allow for the princesses to consolidate it with the earlier court application, which contested the validity of the late King Goodwill Zwelithini's will.[27] The High Court's order requires the parties to file additional court papers in both matters by 18 June 2021, and it is unclear whether the Zulu Royal Family will continue with the coronation despite the matter being before the courts.[28]

Personal life and education[]

King Misuzulu completed his early schooling in Eswatini, his mother's home country, and later attended high school in South Africa, at St. Charles College, Pietermaritzburg.[29] On 6 May 2021, a day before his mother's funeral service, King Misuzulu married his long-time partner, Ntokozo Mayisela.[30] The couple met in August 2009 during the royal wedding of King Misuzulu's sister, Princess Bukhosibemvelo and former Transnet executive Sipho Nyawo, at the Durban Botanic Gardens.[31] On 13 May 2021, King Misuzulu sent a delegation to Mayisela's home to negotiate and pay lobola in terms of Zulu marriage custom. The lobola was reported to consist of eight cows and fifty thousand South African Rands. [32]

Some sources claim he has a degree in international studies, while others state he is still pursuing the degree, in Jacksonville, Florida.[5][10] He has two children with his wife, Ntokozo Mayisela, and another child with Princess Wezizwe Sigcau of amaMpondo royalty.[33]

References[]

  1. ^ "Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini dies in South Africa aged 72". BBC News. 2021-03-12. Retrieved 2021-03-12.
  2. ^ "Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini has died". News24. Retrieved 12 March 2021.
  3. ^ "Prince Misuzulu Zulu announced the new preferred Zulu king". The South African. Retrieved 13 May 2021.
  4. ^ "Late interim leader's son Misuzulu named Zulu king". News24. Retrieved 13 May 2021.
  5. ^ a b c "Historian reveals two Princes who may succeed the King". IOL. Retrieved 22 April 2021.
  6. ^ "Next AmaZulu King to be announced after 3-month Mourning Period is Over". EWN. Retrieved 22 April 2021.
  7. ^ "Queen Mantfombi Dlamini-Zulu takes the Throne". DailySun. Retrieved 22 April 2021.
  8. ^ "Queen Mantfombi MaDlamini Zulu to be interim leader of Zulu nation". eNCA. Retrieved 22 April 2021.
  9. ^ "Historian tips Prince Misuzulu kaZwelithini to be next Zulu King". EWN. Retrieved 22 April 2021.
  10. ^ a b "King Goodwill Zwelithini: Who is next in line for the throne?". The South African. Retrieved 22 April 2021.
  11. ^ "Queen Mantfombi Dlamini-Zulu dies a month after becoming regent". BBC. Retrieved 30 April 2021.
  12. ^ "BREAKING: Prince Misuzulu Zulu announced the new preferred Zulu King". The South African. Retrieved 13 May 2021.
  13. ^ "BREAKING: Prince Misuzulu Zulu announced the new preferred Zulu King". The South African. Retrieved 13 May 2021.
  14. ^ "Prince MisuZulu: Zulu King's coronation announcement imminent". The South African. Retrieved 13 May 2021.
  15. ^ "King Goodwill Zwelithini's first wife in succession battle, set to challenge will". IOL. Retrieved 2 May 2021.
  16. ^ "Report: Zulu Royals embroiled in alleged fraudulent will dispute". EWN. Retrieved 2 May 2021.
  17. ^ "Report: Zulu Royals embroiled in alleged fraudulent will dispute". EWN. Retrieved 2 May 2021.
  18. ^ "King's will forgery suspicions rock the Zulu Royal Family". SABC. Retrieved 2 May 2021.
  19. ^ "King's will forgery suspicions rock the Zulu Royal Family". SABC. Retrieved 2 May 2021.
  20. ^ "Report: Zulu Royals embroiled in alleged fraudulent will dispute". EWN. Retrieved 2 May 2021.
  21. ^ "Can a man have more than one wife in South Africa". Michael Krawitz. Retrieved 2 May 2021.
  22. ^ "King Goodwill Zwelithini's first wife in succession battle, set to challenge will". IOL. Retrieved 2 May 2021.
  23. ^ "Report: Zulu Royals embroiled in alleged fraudulent will dispute". EWN. Retrieved 2 May 2021.
  24. ^ "Bid to stop coronation of Prince Misuzulu as Zulu king in court". TimesLive. Retrieved 21 May 2021.
  25. ^ "Bid to stop coronation of Prince Misuzulu as Zulu king in court". TimesLive. Retrieved 21 May 2021.
  26. ^ "Traditional Leadership and Governance Framework Act". Act No. 41 of 2003 (PDF). Parliament of South Africa.
  27. ^ "Court battle over Zulu king's impending coronation adjourned". TimesLive. Retrieved 21 May 2021.
  28. ^ "Bid to interdict Zulu King's coronation". News24. Retrieved 21 May 2021.
  29. ^ "King Misuzulu kaZwelithini has a bride - reports". TimesLive. Retrieved 13 May 2021.
  30. ^ "Misuzulu Zulu". Student Room. Retrieved 13 May 2021.
  31. ^ "Misuzulu Zulu". Student Room. Retrieved 13 May 2021.
  32. ^ "Eight cows and R50 000 cash lobola for new Zulu queen Ntokozo Mayisela". IOL. Retrieved 13 May 2021.
  33. ^ "King Misuzulu kaZwelithini has a bride - reports". TimesLive. Retrieved 13 May 2021.
Regnal titles
Preceded by King of the Zulu Nation
2021– 		Succeeded by
Incumbent
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