King Misuzulu wants all Zulu artefacts kept by Britain to be brought back home

Almost 145 years after the destruction of Ulundi and some artefacts taken to Britain, the current Zulu King is seeking redress that will see the artefacts returned to South Africa.

King Misuzulu ka Zwelithini says these artefacts are treasured and Britain should return them to the Zulu kingdom as it was agreed a few years ago.

In a statement on Tuesday, the King’s spokesperson, Prince Africa Zulu said the matter was raised in Gauteng when King Misuzulu met with Antony Phillipson, the British High Commissioner in South Africa.

The two met and discussed several matters which includes cooperation for development and then the matter came up.

Ulundi, the traditional capital of the Zulu kingdom was destroyed on July 4, 1879 when the imperial British army overran Zulu defences and burnt it down.

NEWS: While in Gauteng, King Misuzulu met with British High Commissioner to SA, Antony Phillipson. He told Phillipson that he would like to see Britain return all the Zulu artifacts that were stolen from Ulundi when the British army overran and destroyed the Zulu capital. @IOL pic.twitter.com/fBp78hoDxs

— Sihle Mavuso (@ZANewsFlash) July 19, 2023

It was an act of vengeance after the Zulu army humiliated the British army at the historic battle of Isandlwana on January 22, 1879.

During the burning of Ulundi, several treasured Zulu artefacts and a special assegai of the late King Cetshwayo were taken away and stored in museums in Britain.

King Misuzulu now wants them all returned to the shores of his kingdom.

“Importantly, the King has also expressed the importance of discussions to ensure the return of colonial-era artefacts that were stolen from Ulundi after the Battle of Isandlwana.

“For instance, King Cetshwayo’s barbed-headed assegai, Zulu war shields, the King’s headdress and other items are displayed at Wales Military Museum,” Prince Africa said.

The King said this will close a long chapter on the matter.

“Returning these will help close a sad chapter, promote people-to-people contact and harness the cooperation of business in private-public partnerships for nation-building.

“We recall that in 2017, the people of KwaZulu-Natal bid farewell to Zulu Warriors who attended the 135th King Cetshwayo Celebrations in Cardiff, Wales in the United Kingdom.

“The Zulu warriors were accompanied by the cast and the Zulu Royal Choir and participated in the re-enactment of the Battle of Isandlwana.”

He said there is already an established relationship between the Zulu and British people as it was seen in recent years.

“The participation of the Zulu Warriors in the King Cetshwayo Celebrations in the UK strengthened cultural ties between the people of KwaZulu-Natal and the United Kingdom.

“Critically, in November 2011, His Majesty, King Goodwill KaBhekuZulu hosted Prince Charles, Prince of Wales and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall.”

He added the commemoration of the battle is no longer about hostilities, but about cementing ties.

“We hold this event every year in January.

“Over the years, it has grown to be more than just a battle re-enactment but a celebration of diversity, and a great contributor of tourism revenue to the this province.”

King Misuzulu to deliver first official address at KZN provincial legislature

Zulu monarch King Misuzulu kaZwelithini is expected to officially address the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) provincial legislature for the first time on Thursday morning.

In 2022, the Zulu monarch could not address the house, as the succession matter over the Zulu throne was not yet resolved.

However, the then-nominated king did attend the ceremony and was hailed as king by officials, including then-premier Sihle Zikalala, even before President Cyril Ramaphosa recognized him.

But on Thursday, for the first time, as crowned king, he will receive the official salute from the police and proceed with addressing the legislature.

Unlike other provinces, it is a norm in KwaZulu-Natal that a reigning king delivers a speech in the provincial legislature a day before the premier delivers the State of the Province Address.

Members of the provincial government, members of the provincial legislature (MPLs), traditional leaders, the royal family, and KZN residents will be watching the king’s address.

The king is expected to voice his concerns about some of the challenges facing his province, and to share his views on what the government should be focusing on.

The province’s premier, Nomusa Dube-Ncube, will be delivering her state of the province address on Friday morning.

King Misuzulu to deliver first official address at KZN provincial legislature

Zulu monarch King Misuzulu kaZwelithini is expected to officially address the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) provincial legislature for the first time on Thursday morning.

In 2022, the Zulu monarch could not address the house, as the succession matter over the Zulu throne was not yet resolved.

However, the then-nominated king did attend the ceremony and was hailed as king by officials, including then-premier Sihle Zikalala, even before President Cyril Ramaphosa recognized him.

But on Thursday, for the first time, as crowned king, he will receive the official salute from the police and proceed with addressing the legislature.

Unlike other provinces, it is a norm in KwaZulu-Natal that a reigning king delivers a speech in the provincial legislature a day before the premier delivers the State of the Province Address.

Members of the provincial government, members of the provincial legislature (MPLs), traditional leaders, the royal family, and KZN residents will be watching the king’s address.

The king is expected to voice his concerns about some of the challenges facing his province, and to share his views on what the government should be focusing on.

The province’s premier, Nomusa Dube-Ncube, will be delivering her state of the province address on Friday morning.

King Misuzulu leads march against Gender-Based Violence

AmaZulu King Misuzulu kaZweithini is leading a men’s march against Gender-Based Violence.

He’s hoping to change men’s attitudes toward women.

Misuzulu kaZwelithini says those who do nothing to stop the scourge of abuse are just as guilty.

Between April and June this year, over 800 women and almost 250 children were killed.

KZN is among the provinces with a high rate of gender-based violence.

King Misuzulu’s close confidant shot dead as reed dance turns bloody

A senior member of the Usuthu Traditional Council, and confidant of Zulu king Misuzulu kaZwelithini, was gunned down after attending Saturday’s annual reed dance in Nongoma, northern KwaZulu-Natal.

The provincial co-operative governance and traditional affairs department said Ibambabukhosi Dr Dumisani Blasius Khumalo was assassinated by unknown gunmen.

“The institution of traditional leadership within our province has been dealt a huge blow. Khumalo served for many years as Iso leSilo in Osuthu, where he always put the interests of the community first and conducted himself with dignity,” said department spokesperson Senzelwe Mzila.

The department offered condolences to the Zulu monarch, who had lost a “faithful steward”.

“To the Khumalo family, our prayer is that the Lord Almighty strengthen them during this difficult period. We continue to call upon law enforcement agencies to leave no stone unturned in their pursuit of the criminals that are responsible for this act of cowardice,” said Mzila.

Departmental officials planned to visit the family on Monday.

Provincial secretary Bheki Mtolo called on witnesses to assist law enforcement agencies with information.

“As the ANC in KZN, we convey our deepest condolences to the Khumalo family, following the untimely death of our leader and a pillar to the Zulu royal family, and the nation as a whole. The ever intelligent and charming Dr Blasius Khumalo was trusted by the departed king,” he said.

The party added that Khumalo handled the affairs of the Zulu royal family with firmness and understanding.

The party continued:
An academic giant, we will remember his role in various fields as a historian, a culturist and an influential member of Indonsa Yesizwe Think Tank. No doubt, the murderers have inflicted irreparable damage in the hearts of the people of KZN and the country.

Mtolo added that they would offer support to the Khumalo family “as they deal with this loss”.

AmaZulu King Misuzulu KaZwelithini lauds his mother’s role in revival reed ceremony

AmaZulu King Misuzulu KaZwelithini has paid tribute to his mother, the late Queen Regent Mantfombi Dlamini-Zulu, at the annual reed ceremony.

The queen and her husband, the late King Goodwill Zwelithini, had revived the ceremony back in the 1980s.

Both have since passed away.

Although at first the ceremony was publicly criticized by some, it kept growing.

Next week, the main ceremony will take place in Nongoma, where thousands of maidens are expected to attend.

AmaZulu King Misuzulu has paid tribute to his late mother for her role in the reed dance ceremony becoming a significant event.

He praised her for reviving the reed ceremony in the Zulu kingdom, as has been the norm in her eSwatini homestead.

“When I think of my late mother, the queen, who revived the reed dance, as she came with it from her home and saw it fit that to also share it with her marital home. This ceremony is important, equal to others like Nomkhubulwane prayer,” King Misuzulu said.

The king also pleaded that the reed event should be all about the girl child and requested that there should not be long speeches in order to allow for the maidens to celebrate themselves.

I’m not in a rush to be coronated, says King Misuzulu

Amazulu King Misuzulu kaZwelithini says he is not in a hurry for his official coronation, saying no one will remove him from the throne.

The king was addressing the one-year anniversary of his mother’s passing in Nongoma on Saturday.

He was meant to be crowned after he was recognized by President Cyril Ramaphosa as the rightful king.

However, he advised that the event be postponed following the devastating floods in the province.

He said the time should be used to mourn those who lost their lives in the recent floods in KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape.

The move has raised concerns that this may give those opposing him more time to continue challenging his official crowing.

However, the king said no one would remove him from his throne.

He said the date of his coronation would be announced in due time.

Is this how she won? DJ Hlo spotted with King Misuzulu kaZwelithini before winning Song of the Year

DJ Hlo and Ukhozi FM have gone viral on Twitter with people accusing Umkhozi FM of being corrupt. They say DJ Hlo’s song that won Song of the Year g against Zakes Bantwini with his song Osama and heavy hitters like Dj Maphorisa were manipulated. Others say there are already paid tweets to beautify the corruption that took place on the #UkhozifmNYE for making Dj Hlo win a title she didn’t deserve.

On new year’s eve, DJ Hlo’s song was considered as the best song of the year and by 12midnight, UKHOZI FM was playing her song in their radio stations as well as on SABC1.

So many confusions were brought forward this morning on Twitter when the young lady started to trend. It didn’t take much of anyone’s time until it was discovered that DJ Hlo was actually marketing herself wanting this best song of the year Title.

It was reported that a week ago she went to visit the former president of South Africa Jacob Zuma in Inkandla where pictures were also taken as proof.

After that she went to visit the Zulu national leader the son of the late king Goodwill Zwelithini. It is reported that she wanted all the votes she can get from the Zulu nation to be able to win the tittle .

Indeed with the help of the former president, the leader of the Zulu nation, she managed to pull this off. It is said on UkhoziFM it’s all about who you know.

Former president Jacob Zuma still have so much influence and with just a phone call, people will still do anything for him.

Shembe Church leader to meet King MisuZulu

One of the biggest and oldest churches in Kwazulu-Natal is set to host the Sabbath and Umgidi ceremony, at KwaKhangelamankengane Royal Palace.

Mduduzi “Unyazi” Shembe of the Nazareth Baptist Church, popularly known as Shembe, will preside over this ceremony.

It will be the first meeting between AmaZulu King MisuZulu KaZwelithini and Shembe.

Latest on King Misuzulu’s health after being poisoned – Family speaks out

Zulu King Misuzulu kaZwelithini has fully recovered following suspicions that he may have been poisoned during his birthday party last week, the royal family has confirmed.

King Misuzulu was unable to address his subjects during uMkhosi weLembe (Shaka’s Day) celebration on a Heritage Day after he got sick during his birthday celebration a day before.

The king had a birthday dinner at one of the restaurants at the Pearls in Umhlanga, in Durban. He suddenly got sick and left the party immediately.

His condition became severe to a point where his doctor was called, according to the sources.

He was suspected to have been poisoned as his sickness was sudden.

The doctor then advised that he was not fit to make an address during uMkhosi weLembe as his condition was closely monitored.

Prince Thulani, spokesperson for the royal family, said the king has made great progress after his sudden illness.

He said the king’s blood test results have not been made available to the family at this stage.

“The king is doing very well, he has fully recovered. We have not received the results. We understand that it is confidential information between the king and his doctor.

“I will not be able to ask or divulge that information without his consent. But I can confirm that the king has fully recovered,” said Prince Thulani.

King Misuzulu addressed the royal family meeting during the week and touched on the controversial issue of succession which has caused division within the family.

He said the disputes over succession were not new within the royal family, urging all members to work together to preserve the power of the throne.

This comes as some members in the family have not accepted him as a king while others have lodged legal disputes against his nomination.

Senior royal family members, Prince Mbonisi and Princess Thembi have been leading the opposing members, challenging King Misuzulu, they have pushed for Prince Simakade, King Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu’s eldest surviving son to take over the throne.

The both snubbed the meeting which took place at the old legislator in Ulundi.

King Misuzulu said the throne belongs to all royal families and it was everyone’s responsibility to preserve it.

“This throne does not belong to Princess Thembi or Prince Simakade but it belongs to you, the Zulu nation. I wish to express that we hope this is the last meeting of this sort trying to resolve the impasse because nothing pains me more than having to restart leadership processes that are legally sound,” he told the meeting.

• Clarification

The Sunday Tribune reported last week that the king’s birthday party was held at the Beverley Hills hotel. This is incorrect as the party was held at another hotel in Umhlanga, while the king only slept-over at the Beverley Hills. The error is regretted and this newspaper unreservedly apologizes for the inconvenience this may have caused to the brand and image of the Beverley Hills Hotel.