29-05-2025
Prince Mbonisi Zulu disputes title of King Misuzulu's mother as 'great wife' of royal family
Nhlanhla Mabaso 29 May 2025 | 12:49 Misuzulu kaZwelithini
AmaZulu royal family
Prince Mbonisi Zulu
The commemoration of the historic Battle of Isandlwana in Nquthu, northern KwaZulu-Natal, on 27 January 2024. Picture: Jacques Nelles/Eyewitness News
On Thursday, Advocate Tembeka Ngcukaitobi argued that the king was identified as the new monarch in terms of customary said the king's mother, the late Queen Shiyiwe Mantfombi Zulu, held the title of the "great wife".However, the king's uncle, through his lawyers, questioned the great wife's status of King Misuzulu's mother, Queen Mantfombi Dlamini-Zulu, featured in the first part of court proceedings on Thursday, as lawyers argued about whether the king was identified properly.
The "great" title comes with the fact that her bridal price was issued by the Zulu people, as she was a princess from the kingdom of Eswatini.
This also meant that she would later give birth to an heir to the throne.
However, the late King Goodwill Zwelethini's brother, Prince Mbonisi, disputed this in lawyer, Menzi Simelane, said: "And all the ceremonies that relate to the funeral of the late king took place at KwaKhethomthandayo Palace. You know why? That is where the first wife resides, Queen Winifred Sibongile Dlamini - the main wife - and everything took place there in recognition that she is the first wife and the most senior wife for that reason."
He maintained that the "great wife" position holds no ground.
"There is no great wife."
Proceedings are set to continue with more submissions to the SCA's five judges.
ALSO READ: Zulu regiments call on opposing factions to unite under King Misuzulu to achieve stability
[WATCH] Zulu regiments arriving at the Supreme Court of Appeal in Bloemfontein where the SCA is set to hear an application by President @CyrilRamaphosa to overturn a judgement invalidating his recognition of King Misuzulu KaZwelithini as Zulu monarch. @_NMabaso — EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) May 29, 2025
