New Zulu king is finding his voice despite continued challenges to his rule

It’s been two tumultuous years since Zulu King Misuzulu kaZwelithini (50) was officially crowned on 29 October 2022 at a packed Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban. This propelled Misuzulu to be the titular head of the Zulu people despite a fierce and intense succession battle led by some members of the royal family, including Prince Mboniso Zulu, brother of the late King Goodwill Zwelithini, who died in March 2021.

Mpumelelo Zikalala, a legal expert and commentator, said that since Misuzulu’s name was announced as heir apparent, he has faced several legal and other challenges. They have mainly been about his right to rule, but also about the vast wealth and extensive properties belonging to the Zulu king and, by extension, his subjects. There is also another case disputing the authenticity of the will that played a key role in his ascendancy.

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Zikilala said although Misuzulu’s rule got off to a rocky start, he is carving his own path. “Some members of the royal family that were initially against him have now switched sides. This will assist him in the disputes that are in courts being settled. Such matters are solved by courts.”

A groundbreaking judgment happened in the Gauteng Division of the High Court in Pretoria in December 2023 when it nullified his recognition by President Cyril Ramaphosa’s government, stating that the process leading to his crowning was flawed.

The court ordered that the process must start afresh, in line with both Zulu tradition and the Constitution. Both the king and Ramaphosa have appealed against this ruling, and the matter is now in the hands of the Supreme Court of Appeal.

Zikalala said that although Misuzulu has so far withstood the challenges from his opponents in the Zulu royal family, he still has to prove his leadership in handling a number of challenges facing society and his subjects.

“The king still has to grapple with the development of monarch-driven programmes and initiatives that will deal with social and economic development challenges, unemployment, environmental protection and awareness of what the monarchy is about,” he said. Misuzulu has been making strong pronouncements lately on violent crime and gender-based violence, both of which are prevalent in KwaZulu-Natal.

Last week, he became the first reigning Zulu king to honour an invitation to speak at the annual King Dinuzulu Legacy commemoration event, which is organised by AfriForum. He spoke about the need for strengthening racial harmony and emphasised the importance of relationships between Afrikaners and the Zulu people.

KwaZulu-Natal premier Thami Ntuli told Daily Maverick this week that Misuzulu came into office at a difficult time and has helped the provincial government in a number of areas, including to calm down the situation during the July 2021 riots.

“The Zulu king is not only the moral authority in the province, but he is the [titular] head of the KwaZulu-Natal government and every year he presides over the opening of the legislature. He also presides over many cultural and social events. We have been working very well with him.

“Whatever challenges we have as a collective, we are dealing with them expeditiously,” Ntuli said. He added that disputes between the national government and Misuzulu can be resolved without going to court. DM

This story first appeared in our weekly Daily Maverick 168 newspaper, which is available countrywide for R35.