Latest news with #MisuzulukaZwelithini
eNCA
28-05-2025
- Politics
- eNCA
Battle for throne heads to Supreme Court
JOHANNESBURG - The battle for the AmaZulu throne is now headed to the Supreme Court of Appeal. The President is challenging a High Court decision to overturn his recognition of King Misuzulu kaZwelithini. WATCH: Discussion | Drama in the AmaZulu Royal House The King ascended to the throne in 2021 following the deaths of his father, King Goodwill Zwelithini, and his mother, who had served as regent. In 2023, the High Court ruled that President Ramaphosa had failed to follow due process.
IOL News
27-05-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Tensions rise in Zulu royal family as Supreme Court appeal looms
King Misuzulu is accused of undermining the country's judicial system following a statement where he said he would remain a king irrespective of the Supreme Court of Appeal's outcome. Image: Independent Newspapers Archives The assertion by King Misuzulu kaZwelithini that the outcome of his kingship case in the Supreme Court of Appeal will be meaningless since it will not change anything concerning his throne has angered the applicant, his half-brother, Prince Simakade Zulu. In a statement issued by Prince Thulani Zulu on behalf of the king and the royal family, he stated that irrespective of what the conclusion of the Supreme Court of Appeal will be, King Misuzulu will remain in his position as he was installed by the Zulu people, not by the courts. He added that this has been the practice in the Zulu Kingdom for centuries, long before colonialism or any political governments arrived in the land. Prince Thulani said King Misuzulu was officially installed in a ceremony known as Ungena Esibayeni ( kraal entering), which took place in 2022. 'In Zulu Customary Law, Ingonyama (the King) was installed by the people of the nation 'On 8 May 2022, Kings and leaders from all over Africa came to KwaKhangelamankengane Royal Palace in KwaNongoma to witness the traditional crowning of His Majesty King Misuzulu kaZwelithini. 'The Zulu Kingdom also showed up in the thousands to witness the ascension of our new King. By the end of the ceremony, King Misuzulu's installation process was complete, and he became the new King of the Zulu Nation,' the statement read. Prince Thulani further explained that the coronation of the king, which followed after, was a formality and recognition by the government, not installation as many wanted to believe. 'On 29 October 2022, President Cyril Ramaphosa officially handed over the certificate of recognition to His Majesty King Misuzulu kaZwelithini at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban. This was the formal acknowledgment of His Majesty as King of the AmaZulu nation, in accordance with Section 8(1) of the Traditional and Khoi-San Leadership Act of 2019. 'It's important to understand that the certificate handover does not affect the Ukungena Esibayeni ceremony, which is the traditional and only recognised method of installing a King in Zulu culture. 'The certificate represented recognition by the state — an administrative formality acknowledging that the Zulu nation had already installed its king. By accepting the certificate, we respected the democratic order that recognises, upholds, and respects traditional leadership. 'The upcoming case is not about the throne, nor is it a challenge to His Majesty's authority. It concerns whether the president followed proper consultative procedures before issuing the certificate of recognition, therefore, there is no cause for alarm or speculation as the throne is not under threat,' concludes the king's statement. Prince Simakade's side spokesperson, Prince Mxolisi kaBhekuzulu, rejected Prince Thulani's statement, calling it a call to anarchy. On Thursday and Friday, the Supreme Court of Appeal will hear an appeal by Ramaphosa following the Pretoria High Court's decision in 2023 setting aside the king's recognition by the president. Prince Mxolisi said a proper reading of the statement by Prince Thulani does amount to a veiled incitement and attack on the rule of law and the supremacy of the Constitution. 'The statement seeks to suggest that he and those he purports to represent have their own set of rules, outside of the established rule of law convention, that binds all, and to which we are all subject, irrespective of one's position and status in society. Surely, this is not the position of the royal family,' said Prince Mxolisi. He also disputed that Prince Thulani was speaking on behalf of the royal family, saying as far the side knows, he is not a royal spokesperson. [email protected]
The Citizen
26-05-2025
- Politics
- The Citizen
‘The throne is not under threat': Zulu royal faction defends King Misuzulu as court battle looms
The Zulu royal family will return to court this week over a dispute concerning the state's recognition of King Misuzulu. A faction of the Zulu royal family backing King Misuzulu kaZwelithini's ascension to the throne says it is not fazed by the upcoming court challenge to the state's recognition of the monarch. President Cyril Ramaphosa's lawyers have approached the Supreme Court of Appeals in Bloemfontein in an attempt to overturn a ruling made by the Pretoria High Court. In 2023, the court set aside the president's decision to recognise King Misuzulu as a legally recognised king of the Zulu nation. The court further ordered the president to institute a committee to investigate allegations of violation of customary laws in the identification of King Misuzulu. In a statement on Sunday, King Misuzulu's faction said the court hearing would have no impact on the throne, as he was installed in line with proper Zulu customs. 'There is no cause for alarm or speculation. The throne is not under threat. The king remains the rightful custodian of the Zulu nation, duly installed by both tradition and law. 'Even if the president were not to succeed in the matter before the court on the 29th in Bloemfontein, it would not advance anyone else's claim to the throne. As a matter of fact, no one has directly challenged the incumbent after the decision had been taken in Pietermaritzburg,' said family spokesperson, Thulani Zulu. Certificate of recognition controversy On 29 October 2022, Ramaphosa officially presented King Misuzulu with a certificate of recognition at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal. This was King Misuzulu's first official recognition as the king of the Zulu people in accordance with section 8(1) of the Traditional and Khoi-San Leadership Act of 2019. 'It's important to understand that the certificate handover does not affect the Ukungena Esibayeni ceremony, which is the traditional and only recognised method of installing a king in Zulu culture. 'The certificate represented recognition by the state — an administrative formality acknowledging that the Zulu nation had already installed its king. 'By accepting the certificate, we respected the democratic order that recognises, upholds and respects traditional leadership,' said Zulu. Another court battle for the Zulu king He said Misuzulu had successfully won most court battles concerning the throne. 'All court cases surrounding King Misuzulu kaZwelithini and the Zulu throne have been finalised, with His Majesty prevailing in every matter. 'The upcoming case is not about the throne, nor is it a challenge to His Majesty's authority. It concerns whether the President followed proper consultative procedures before issuing the certificate of recognition,' he said. The court case is set to take place over two days, from Tuesday, 28 May, to Wednesday, 29 May. ALSO READ: Five people killed in horror accident, north of Durban in KZN What does Prince Simakade's faction want? Meanwhile, the faction supporting Prince Simakade kaZwelithini remains hopeful that the state will dethrone King Misuzulu and allow for a fresh customary process to determine what they consider to be the rightful heir to the throne. They maintain that Prince Simakade, as the eldest son of the late King Goodwill Zwelithini, is the rightful heir to the throne. However, their interpretation of Zulu customs has been challenged by the faction supporting King Misuzulu's claim to the throne. This faction believes that King Misuzulu is the son of a great queen, and it was inevitable that he would ultimately lead the Zulu nation. NOW READ: Will Trump go after Malema and Zuma? IRR says 'Kill the Boer' chant created problems for SA
eNCA
25-04-2025
- Business
- eNCA
KZN premier hikes AmaZulu Royal House budget to R86 million
PIETERMARITZBURG - The KwaZulu-Natal government has hiked the budget for the trust that takes care of the needs of Zulu King Misuzulu kaZwelithini. The Premier, Thami Ntuli, announced the allocation of R86-million for the new financial year, an increase from last year's R77,5-million. However, concerns over the Royal Household Trust's spending and long-term financial sustainability continue to mount. Ntuli says the increase is not in conflict with the province's cost-cutting, but is to support King Misuzulu in fulfilling his cultural duties. He says the province is looking to appoint a new board for the Trust that will explore property development and commercial farming to reduce reliance on government funds. By: eNCA's Zanele Buthelezi
IOL News
24-04-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Transforming the Zulu Royal House Trust: Lessons from the Royal Bafokeng Nation
Pictured is Zulu King Misuzulu kaZwelithini. The KwaZulu-Natal Zulu Royal House Trust (ZRHT) will receive R86 million in the next financial year (FY) 2025 and 2026 from the Office of the Premier (OTP). Image: File Discussions are underway to model the KwaZulu-Natal Zulu Royal House Trust (ZRHT) to a self-sustaining revenue generator similar to the Royal Bafokeng Nation (RBN) in the North West Province. This was mentioned when KZN Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli announced that the ZRHT will receive R86 million in the financial year (FY) 2025 and 2026 from the Office of the Premier (OTP) budget of R817 million. The RBN is a Setswana-speaking traditional community and ethnic homeland in South Africa. Tim Brauteseth, MPL – DA KZN spokesperson on Finance and the Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts (SCOPA) said that money will ensure provision of administration, maintenance, and management of the assets of the ZRHT, including the Royal palaces and farms. Speaking at the KZN Legislature on Thursday, Brauteseth said the committee notes with grave concern the continuous failure by the ZRHT to implement fundraising. Brauteseth said the Trust was established mainly for this purpose. Brauteseth said all political parties in the Portfolio Committee speak in unison that vigorous oversight needs to be performed to ensure this happens. The committee requested timelines for this, and the appointment of a new Board of Trustees after operating for almost a year without a Board. 'A sum of R3.6 million was allocated to the Trust in 2018 with the sole purpose of investigating ways to make the Royal Household self-sustaining and indeed a source of its own revenue for the province. This investment has remained largely unrealised. Year after year this issue is raised and year after year excuses are made and little is done,' Brauteseth said. Brauteseth said the right team has not been assembled for this task. Brauteseth said this has to be an area of intense focus in the next year and the portfolio committee must be relentless in this pursuit. 'There are numerous monarchies and communities across the world who have decided to utilise their assets to ensure self-sustainability and assure their long-term future,' Brauteseth said. Brauteseth told the legislature that the RBN is a success story of a traditionally governed community that strategically leveraged its wealth from platinum mining to achieve sustainable social development and build a strong investment portfolio. 'Situated on one of the world's largest platinum reserves, the RBN transformed mining royalties into a diversified investment vehicle, Royal Bafokeng Holdings which funds social programs and community projects. This community-based investment approach has enabled them to improve living conditions, support education and healthcare, and build a strong institutional framework,' Brauteseth said. Brauteseth said RBN made strategic land acquisitions including through missionary intermediaries, to secure their resource rights and received significant royalties from mining companies, which are then invested through RBH. Brauteseth said that RBH has invested in community projects like the Royal Bafokeng Stadium, the Kgosi Leruo High-Performance Centre, and the Royal Bafokeng Institute. Brauteseth said the Royal Household must realise the potential of its assets for the benefit of not only the Monarchy but all of the citizens of KZN. Ntuli said they were in the process of reviewing the ZRHT act and appointing a new board. 'We will be doing a benchmarking visit to the Royal Bafokeng Nation once the board has been constituted. We have used it as one that we need to match with what is being practiced in our province. The Trust land can unearth equity and development returns for the communities that reside on Ingonyama Trust Land,' Ntuli said.
