Concerns over a parallel structure in the Zulu Royal Household
Prince Buthelezi suspects plan to disrespect late King Zwelithini's wishes
By CELANI SIKHAKHANE
The Zulu nation’s Prime Minister, Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi has raised concerns over unauthorised and parallel meetings that are taking place in the Royal Family which he described as a plan against the late King Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu’s wishes and arrangements.
This comes after Zulu King’s siblings Princess Thembi Ndlovu and Prince Mbonisi kaBhekuzulu held a Royal Family meeting last weekend at the old KwaZulu-Natal Legislature in Ulundi to appoint the team of advisors to the regent Queen Shiyiwe Mantfombi Zulu, the third wife of the late King Zwelithini.
According to Prince Buthelezi the widows of King Zwelithini including Queen Mantfombi and other senior members of the Royal family were not aware of the meeting.
“It has come to the attention of the Zulu Royal Family that a parallel process of meetings has been instituted, at the insistance of HRH Prince Mbonisi and his sister HRH Princess Thembi, children of His Majesty King Cyprian Bhekuzulu ka Solomon, father of the late King Goodwill Zwelithini ka Bhekuzulu,” Buthelezi said in a statement.
He says that these meetings have captured media interest and created confusion within the Zulu nation.
He stated that in an article on Monday, Prince Mbonisi and Princess Thembi announced another meeting taking place, purportedly of the Royal Family, in Ulundi on Saturday, April 24.
“It was reported that they were dealing with the issue of who can assist the regent. Unfortunately, this parallel process is being run without the authority or sanction of her Majesty Queen Shiyiwe Mantfombi Dlamini Zulu, whom His Majesty the King indicated should lead the nation at this time, or of the other five widows of the King. Neither the Queen Mother, Mayvis (MaZungu), the widow of King Cyprian – who is our matriarch – nor I, as traditional Prime Minister to the Zulu Monarch and nation, knew about these meetings.
“They have not even been attended by the late King’s Personal Assistant, Prince Thulani ka Gqikazi ka Solomon ka Dinuzulu, nor the King’s remaining paternal uncle, Prince Philemon ka Tshelendoda ka Dinuzulu, and a number of other senior members of the Royal Family, ” he said.
Prince Buthelezi also revealed that the matter of assistance to Queen Mantfombi has already been dealt with in an official meeting of the Zulu Royal Family which took place at the Palace where the Queen resides.
