Senior Zulu princess Thembi Zulu. Picture: Motshwari Mofokeng/African News Agency (ANA)
Durban – Despite having attended the pre-wedding ceremony (umembeso) of King Misuzulu in Newcastle on Saturday, senior Zulu Princess Thembi Zulu-Ndlovu, sister of the late Goodwill Zwelithini, says that does mean she has accepted him as king of the Zulu nation.
The princess said she was still contesting the official recognition by President Cyril Ramaphosa because it is “flawed”.
The princess’s statement comes after she was one of the high-profile members of the royal family that came to the umembeso of King Misuzulu and his first wife, Ntokozo Mayisela.
Her attendance was interpreted by some that she had since dropped her opposition to King Misuzulu since she is known for backing Prince Simakade for the throne.
UPDATE: Princess Thembi Zulu-Ndlovu says her attendance of King Misuzulu's pre-wedding ceremony (Ummbeso) in Newcastle does not mean she has accepted the latter as King. She says together with other members of the royal family, they are contesting the recognition. @DailyNewsSA
— Sihle Mavuso (@ZANewsFlash) April 3, 2022
“I hereby wish to clarify a few things as well as restate the position of the royal family regarding the issue of succession. This following (sic) our attendance of Prince Misuzulu’s traditional wedding yesterday, Saturday, April 2.
“As the Zulu royal family, we remain a family despite our differences on the question of who should succeed my late brother, HM King Goodwill ka Bhekuzulu. This means that we will be seen in public together, attend each other’s weddings, funerals, and other family functions from time to time,” she stated.
The princess then said the recognition does not sit well with her.
“This does not mean that we accept the president’s decision to recognise Prince Misuzulu as the Zulu King, neither does it mean that we accept Prince Misuzulu as the heir to the Zulu throne.
“The Zulu royal family stated their position and nominated the late king’s eldest son, Prince Simakade, to be recognised as the next in line to succeed the late king.
“We embarked on an extensive consultation process with various critical relevant houses constituting the Zulu royal family to arrive at that decision.”
Other prominent members of the royal family who attended the traditional ceremony were Queen Zola Mafu and Queen Thandekile Ndlovu, wives of the late King Goodwill Zwelithini.
Since the royal house remains divided over the matter of succession, the two queens appeared to be siding with the anti-Misuzulu grouping.
On March 12 this year, they attended the parallel prayer to remember the late king at KwaKhethomthandayo Palace and snubbed the one addressed by King Misuzulu at KwaKhangelamankengane Palace.
sihle.mavuso@inl.co.za
Daily News