Latest news with #Zulu
eNCA
5 hours ago
- Politics
- eNCA
The battle for the AmaZulu throne reaches Supreme Court of Appeal
BLOEMFONTEIN - After two days of intensive legal arguments in Bloemfontein, from 28 to 29 May 2025, five Supreme Court of Appeal judges will now determine whether President Cyril Ramaphosa's recognition of Misuzulu as King of the AmaZulu Nation in March 2022 was right and proper. The case represents more than four years of legal battles that have tested the boundaries between customary law and constitutional governance in South Africa. The death of Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi in September 2023 removed a key figure who had championed King Misuzulu's succession. The Supreme Court of Appeal has reserved judgment in one of South Africa's most significant constitutional and customary law cases. It's left King Misuzulu kaZwelithini in a precarious position within the AmaZulu Royal House. After four years of bitter legal battles that have exposed deep divisions within the royal family and raised fundamental questions about the intersection of traditional customs and constitutional governance in democratic South Africa. The case has significant implications beyond the Zulu kingdom, as the Traditional and Khoi-San Leadership Act, which governs the recognition of traditional leaders, has come under intense scrutiny throughout these proceedings. The legal battle stems from a succession crisis that began on 12 March, 2021, when King Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu died from COVID-19 complications. The pivotal moment came on 14 May, 2021, when around 200 members of the AmaZulu Royal family gathered at KwaNongoma for what supporters described as a legitimate identification meeting, chaired by the traditional prime minister, late Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi. The meeting identified Prince Misuzulu as the successor to the throne. President Ramaphosa officially recognised King Misuzulu on 16 March, 2022, under Section 8(3)(a) and (b) of the Traditional and Khoi-San Leadership Act, following consultations with the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs and the Premier of KwaZulu-Natal. King Misuzulu subsequently underwent the traditional Ukungena Esibayeni ceremony at the KwaKhangelamankengane Royal Palace in October 2022. However, Prince Mbonisi Zulu, the king's uncle, and Prince Simakade Zulu, the late king's other son chose to challenge the recognition. On 15 December 2023, Judge Norman Davis of the High Court in Pretoria delivered a bombshell ruling, setting aside Ramaphosa's recognition of King Misuzulu. He found that the president had failed to follow due process by not appointing an investigative committee to address disputes within the royal family. In the Supreme Court of Appeal, President Ramaphosa's legal team, led by Senior Counsel Morumo Moerane, argued that the recognition was lawful and fully compliant with the Traditional and Khoi-San Leadership Act. "The president did not elect the king; he simply confirmed the one who was already identified," Moerane told the court. "We respectfully submit that the president's recognition decision was lawful, rational, and fully compliant with the act," he added. King Misuzulu's representatives, led by Advocate Tembeka Ngcukaitobi, emphasised that the identification process had already been validated by Acting Judge President Isaac Madondo in March 2022 – a ruling that was never appealed or set aside. "The rule of law demands an end to this matter," Ngcukaitobi insisted, arguing that the same issues cannot be relitigated indefinitely. However, Prince Mbonisi's legal team, represented by Advocate Thabani Masuku SC, maintained that the 14 May, 2021 meeting was fundamentally flawed. "The meeting was due to serve as a mourning ritual and not a forum during which the new king should be identified," Maskuku argued. "Custom was not followed as the Royal Family was not the one to choose the new king," he contended. Prince Simakade's representatives, led by Advocate Alan Dodson SC, argued that he is the rightful heir as the eldest son and called for a fresh identification process. The death of Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi in September 2023 removed a key figure who had championed King Misuzulu's succession. Buthelezi served as traditional prime minister to the Zulu royal family from 1954 until his death. He'd played a crucial role in the controversial May 2021 identification process. The case represents more than four years of legal battles that have tested the boundaries between customary law and constitutional governance in South Africa. The outcome will likely establish important precedents for the way disputes within traditional leadership structures are resolved and the extent of state intervention in customary succession processes. In an effort to restore unity, King Misuzulu appointed Prince Zuzifa Buthelezi as chairperson of the royal council in April 2025. As of 1 June 2025, the Supreme Court of Appeal has provided no timeline for delivering its judgment. King Misuzulu remains on the throne pending the outcome, with his supporters expressing confidence that the court will uphold his legitimacy. Whatever the outcome, the case has highlighted the need for clearer procedures and better integration between customary succession practices and state recognition processes in South Africa's constitutional framework. The eventual judgment will determine not just King Misuzulu's fate, but could reshape the way traditional succession disputes are handled across South Africa's diverse cultural landscape. by Nkateko Muloiwa
eNCA
19 hours ago
- Entertainment
- eNCA
Amapiano has the world dancing
JOHANNESBURG - At a studio in central Johannesburg, dancers from various countries moved together to the rhythm of South Africa's amapiano sound that is taking social media by storm. With energy and purpose, they rehearsed a sequence in the style of the house music subgenre born on the streets of the townships around 15 years ago and now showcased by stars like Beyonce and Tyla. Soweto's Finest Dance Studio draws dancers of all kinds -- from ballerinas to party-goers -- to learn the amapiano moves sweeping the world through TikTok tutorials and challenges. Amapiano "is not about the words but you feel it inside of you," said Venus Chidinma, 25, a professional dancer from New York who studied at the studio for several weeks. "It doesn't matter where you come from, what race, what colour -- you feel it and you have to just move. It's just from inside you," the Harvard graduate told AFP. Central to the sound is the log drum, a distinctive bass that sets it apart from other forms of dance music. It blends soulful jazz and deep house with 1990s kwaito to create a local genre with no strict rules. The dance style mixes up others, from the coordinated quick steps of South African panstula to the "baleka" move that closely resembles Michael Jackson's iconic moonwalk. "Its authenticity to South Africa makes it stand out," said Thando Nhlapho, the 21-year-old professional dancer and choreographer at the landmark Soweto studio. Nhlapho, still glistening from her latest class, creates and posts dance videos on social media to "get my name out there". "I don't only dance to amapiano but I choose to use amapiano as a marketing strategy because it is now the trending thing, the hot thing globally," she told AFP. - Global language - "Amapiano is so powerful, it's taken over Africa," said Emmanuel Mwenya, 25, a choreographer from Lusaka. "In Zambia, we dance and sing along to the music even though we do not understand the lyrics," said Mwenya, who spent a week in South Africa to learn the style. "We do amapiano but it's never original. So I thought I'd take the time to come here to learn something original," he said at the studio. Amapiano is its own language, said the professional dancer who also uses social media to promote his work. "Whether you speak Zulu, Bemba, Nyanja, English... it all connects, no matter where you're from." This spirit of inclusiveness comes to life on social media, where people of all ages, backgrounds and cultures unite in dance challenges, like the one for "Tshwala Bami" on TikTok that was taken up by US performer Jason Derulo. "My mom is 46 years old today and even at her age, I still teach her some TikTok dance challenges," said 21-year-old South African Snethemba Mathe, her face lit up. Xiaoying Zhan, 30, brought three friends visiting from China with her to a class. Zhan, who is from China but now lives in South Africa, said she caught on to the amapiano beat during the Covid-19 lockdown around five years ago. "I was enjoying the music and that is why I started dancing to amapiano," she said. "The music has a lot of upbeat tempo," she said, listing South Africa's DBN Gogo and Uncle Waffles, originally from neighbouring Eswatini, as among her favourite artists, but only after Tyla. According to Spotify, amapiano featured in more than 855 million streams recorded in 2024 alone, making the genre a powerful promotion tool for career dancers. "Amapiano is something that's so easy to vibe to," said Chidinma, the dancer from New York who posts videos of various styles on her Instagram account. "Whenever people come up with a dance, it's going to go viral," she said.
Business Times
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Business Times
South Africa's amapiano has the world dancing
[Johannesburg] At a studio in central Johannesburg, dancers from various countries moved together to the rhythm of South Africa's amapiano sound that is taking social media by storm. With energy and purpose, they rehearsed a sequence in the style of the house music subgenre born on the streets of the townships around 15 years ago and now showcased by stars such as Beyonce and Tyla. Soweto's Finest Dance Studio draws dancers of all kinds – from ballerinas to party-goers – to learn the amapiano moves sweeping the world through TikTok tutorials and challenges. Amapiano 'is not about the words but you feel it inside of you', said Venus Chidinma, a professional dancer from New York who studied at the studio for several weeks. 'It doesn't matter where you come from, what race, what colour – you feel it, and you have to just move. It's just from inside you.' Central to the sound is the log drum, a distinctive bass that sets it apart from other forms of dance music. It blends soulful jazz and deep house with 1990s kwaito to create a local genre with no strict rules. A NEWSLETTER FOR YOU Friday, 2 pm Lifestyle Our picks of the latest dining, travel and leisure options to treat yourself. Sign Up Sign Up The dance style mixes up others, from the coordinated quick steps of South African panstula to the 'baleka' move that closely resembles Michael Jackson's iconic moonwalk. 'Its authenticity to South Africa makes it stand out,' said Thando Nhlapho, a professional dancer and choreographer at the landmark Soweto studio. Nhlapho, still glistening from her latest class, creates and posts dance videos on social media to 'get my name out there'. 'I don't only dance to amapiano but I choose to use amapiano as a marketing strategy because it is now the trending thing, the hot thing globally,' she said. Global language 'Amapiano is so powerful, it's taken over Africa,' said Emmanuel Mwenya, a choreographer from Lusaka. 'In Zambia, we dance and sing along to the music even though we do not understand the lyrics,' said Mwenya, who spent a week in South Africa to learn the style. 'We do amapiano but it's never original. So I thought I'd take the time to come here to learn something original.' Amapiano is its own language, said the professional dancer who also uses social media to promote his work. 'Whether you speak Zulu, Bemba, Nyanja, English... it all connects, no matter where you're from.' This spirit of inclusiveness comes to life on social media, where people of all ages, backgrounds and cultures unite in dance challenges, like the one for 'Tshwala Bami' on TikTok that was taken up by US performer Jason Derulo. 'My mum is 46 years old today and even at her age, I still teach her some TikTok dance challenges,' said South African Snethemba Mathe, her face lit up. Zhan Xiaoying Zhan brought three friends visiting from China with her to a class. Zhan, who is from China but now lives in South Africa, said she caught on to the amapiano beat during the Covid-19 lockdown around five years ago. 'I was enjoying the music, and that is why I started dancing to amapiano,' she said. 'The music has a lot of upbeat tempo,' she said, listing South Africa's DBN Gogo and Uncle Waffles, originally from neighbouring Eswatini, as among her favourite artists, but only after Tyla. According to Spotify, amapiano featured in more than 855 million streams recorded in 2024 alone, making the genre a powerful promotion tool for career dancers. 'Amapiano is something that's so easy to vibe to,' said Chidinma, the dancer from New York who posts videos of various styles on her Instagram account. 'Whenever people come up with a dance, it's going to go viral,' she said. AFP
The Citizen
a day ago
- Lifestyle
- The Citizen
Recipe of the Day: Sunny Side Up Breakfast
Whether you're fuelling up for a busy day or enjoying a leisurely brunch, this recipe is quick and easy to prepare. Start your day off right with a delicious and nutritious breakfast featuring sunny-side-up eggs and creamy avocado. This vibrant dish combines perfectly cooked eggs with the rich, buttery texture of ripe avocado, creating a delightful balance of flavours and nutrients. Whether you're fuelling up for a busy day or enjoying a leisurely brunch, this recipe is quick and easy to prepare. Simply fry the eggs to your preferred doneness, season them with a pinch of salt and pepper, and serve alongside sliced or mashed avocado for an added dose of healthy fats. Pair it with whole grain toast or a fresh salad for a complete meal that keeps you energised. With its bright colours and satisfying taste, this sunny side up eggs and avocado recipe is not just a feast for the stomach but also for the eyes, perfect for starting your morning on a high note Preparation time: 15 minutes Cooking time: 10 minutes Serves 1 ALSO READ: Nomzamo Mbatha stuns in traditional Zulu fashion elegance on Shaka iLembe tour Ingredients: Splash avocado or olive oil 60 ml (¼ cup) Parmesan, finely grated + extra for topping 1 egg Salt and pepper ½ avocado, sliced A handful of baby spinach Tomato chilli jam, to serve Method: Heat a splash of oil in a small frying pan over low heat. Add the Parmesan in a thin even layer and cook for about 3 minutes or until golden. Carefully remove from the pan. Add another splash of oil into the same pan and fry the egg for 3–5 minutes, or until the white is set, and the yolk is still soft. Season with salt and pepper. Serve the egg on the Parmesan crisp, topped with avocado, spinach, tomato chilli jam, and extra Parmesan sprinkled over. Tip: To make an avocado rose, place the peeled avocado, cut side down, on a cutting board. Slice through the width into skinny slices and fan out into a straight line. Beginning at one end, gently roll up the slices into a spiral rose shape. -Recipe supplied by:
France 24
a day ago
- Entertainment
- France 24
South Africa's amapiano has the world dancing
With energy and purpose, they rehearsed a sequence in the style of the house music subgenre born on the streets of the townships around 15 years ago and now showcased by stars like Beyonce and Tyla. Soweto's Finest Dance Studio draws dancers of all kinds -- from ballerinas to party-goers -- to learn the amapiano moves sweeping the world through TikTok tutorials and challenges. Amapiano "is not about the words but you feel it inside of you," said Venus Chidinma, 25, a professional dancer from New York who studied at the studio for several weeks. "It doesn't matter where you come from, what race, what colour -- you feel it and you have to just move. It's just from inside you," the Harvard graduate told AFP. Central to the sound is the log drum, a distinctive bass that sets it apart from other forms of dance music. It blends soulful jazz and deep house with 1990s kwaito to create a local genre with no strict rules. The dance style mixes up others, from the coordinated quick steps of South African panstula to the "baleka" move that closely resembles Michael Jackson's iconic moonwalk. "Its authenticity to South Africa makes it stand out," said Thando Nhlapho, the 21-year-old professional dancer and choreographer at the landmark Soweto studio. Nhlapho, still glistening from her latest class, creates and posts dance videos on social media to "get my name out there". "I don't only dance to amapiano but I choose to use amapiano as a marketing strategy because it is now the trending thing, the hot thing globally," she told AFP. Global language "Amapiano is so powerful, it's taken over Africa," said Emmanuel Mwenya, 25, a choreographer from Lusaka. "In Zambia, we dance and sing along to the music even though we do not understand the lyrics," said Mwenya, who spent a week in South Africa to learn the style. "We do amapiano but it's never original. So I thought I'd take the time to come here to learn something original," he said at the studio. Amapiano is its own language, said the professional dancer who also uses social media to promote his work. "Whether you speak Zulu, Bemba, Nyanja, English... it all connects, no matter where you're from." This spirit of inclusiveness comes to life on social media, where people of all ages, backgrounds and cultures unite in dance challenges, like the one for "Tshwala Bami" on TikTok that was taken up by US performer Jason Derulo. "My mom is 46 years old today and even at her age, I still teach her some TikTok dance challenges," said 21-year-old South African Snethemba Mathe, her face lit up. Xiaoying Zhan, 30, brought three friends visiting from China with her to a class. Zhan, who is from China but now lives in South Africa, said she caught on to the amapiano beat during the Covid-19 lockdown around five years ago. "I was enjoying the music and that is why I started dancing to amapiano," she said. "The music has a lot of upbeat tempo," she said, listing South Africa's DBN Gogo and Uncle Waffles, originally from neighbouring Eswatini, as among her favourite artists, but only after Tyla. According to Spotify, amapiano featured in more than 855 million streams recorded in 2024 alone, making the genre a powerful promotion tool for career dancers. "Amapiano is something that's so easy to vibe to," said Chidinma, the dancer from New York who posts videos of various styles on her Instagram account. "Whenever people come up with a dance, it's going to go viral," she said.
