Latest news with #Zulus
TimesLIVE
10-05-2025
- Sport
- TimesLIVE
Durban abuzz over Nedbank Cup final showdown
Durban was abuzz this weekend as thousands of fans descended on the city for the much anticipated Nedbank Cup final between Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates at Moses Mabhida stadium. Security was tight as team supporters arrived early and were monitored by police after a ticket sales debacle earlier in the week that saw the over-issue of 10,000 tickets for the derby. The blunder led to threats of violence as fans travelling from afar vowed to watch the match regardless of whether their tickets were valid. After the threats, security was beefed up and several roads leading to the stadium were closed, causing heavy congestion. SAPS public order police and metro police were keeping an eye on the crowds. Fans spotted by TimesLIVE outside the stadium before the game were behaving well. Sakhile Mhlanga, a Pirates supporter from Mpumalanga, appealed for calm ahead of the game. 'It would be nice if people can behave themselves, we do not want to see ugly scenes,' said Mhlanga. He and three friends managed to buy tickets. 'We booked accommodation immediately after we heard the final would be in Durban,' he said. Another rumour that caused tension was that Durban fans were allocated fewer tickets because they were not big investors in the game. Moses Mabhida Stadium general manager Vusi Mazibuko said the claims were baseless. 'We cannot deliberately sabotage Durbanites, people must know we had no control over the sale of tickets,' said Mazibuko. The city set up fan parks featuring entertainment at South Beach and Albert Park for people who failed to get tickets. Bheki Gwala from KwaDukuza said it was not easy for people to cause havoc at the stadium because they feared provincial police commissioner Lt-Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. Some people tried to incite violence chanting the war slogan Hlangana Zulu — loosely translated as Zulus must unite. Mkhwanazi is known for his no nonsense stance against lawlessness and during a media briefing this week issued a stern warning to anyone planning to misbehave. The derby was a business opportunity for locals. Car guards seemed to be making a fortune from motorists looking for parking, charging R50 for a spot with a take it or leave it attitude. Some people were selling tickets at exorbitant prices. A security guard at one stadium entrance tried to sell a ticket for R400 to a TimesLIVE journalist. 'I have already sold two at R400. I am still left with two,' he said. Some were selling tickets at R500.
TimesLIVE
24-04-2025
- Politics
- TimesLIVE
ANC cadres framed me in the arms deals case, says Zuma
Former president Jacob Zuma has claimed he was being framed with the arms deal case by ANC cadres who are now claiming he was a spy. Speaking to hundreds of supporters shortly after his fraud and corruption case in relation to the arms deal was adjourned in the Pietermaritzburg high court on Thursday, Zuma said some former comrades had a long-standing vendetta against him. Zuma's arms deals case was heard next door to the inquest hearing into the death of ANC president-general chief Albert Luthuli which attracted a number of high-ranking members. 'Those who hate me now are saying I was an agent on Robben Island spying on other comrades. I have never been a spy — how can I spent 10 years in jail spying on other comrades,' he said. Zuma said he did not understand how he was linked to the arms deal matter because he was not party to the talks. 'When there was talks regarding the arms deal, I was an economic development MEC here in KwaZulu-Natal and the president was Dr Nelson Mandela and his deputy was Thabo Mbeki. Mandela and Mbeki were the ones who were involved in the talks but when there are allegations that some people have stolen the money, they say it is Zuma and a Durban based-businessman,' he said. Zuma said he didn't understand why people disliked him. 'These people have chased me for many years, chasing for nothing,' he said. Zuma said he was adamant he would walk free in the case against him. 'There is no case against me, this case is against the dead because many people who were implicated are late now,' he said. Zuma said his haters want to suffocate and drain him. He said he is happy now because there is the MK party which is going to truly liberate people. 'MK party is the only hope for the people of this country, and our rivals are shivering. Wherever you go people are talking about MK party,' he said. Zuma said when they spoke about the MK, they were talking about a spear, adding it was the Zulus who defeated the British army in the battle of iSandlwana using spears. He urged people to vote in their numbers in the upcoming elections to claim back the country. Last year they stole our votes, they cannot do it next time,' he said, adding that the case over election rigging is pending. Zuma also took a swipe at the GNU, accusing black parties of working with white parties, which was counter-revolutionary. 'Voters will punish all those parties in the upcoming elections for what they are doing,' he said. Zuma was accompanied by members of the national command including party secretary-general Floyd Shivambu, Dali Mpofu and Magasela Mzobe. Shivambu maintained regal power even though he is under pressure for visiting fugitive prophet Shepherd Bashiri in Malawi during the Easter holidays. Speaking to the party supporters, Shivambu said they have no doubt that Zuma would walk free in the arms deal case. He said the case against Zuma is based on hatred.
Yahoo
16-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Zulu king shocks polygamous society with decision to divorce first wife
South Africa's Zulu king has scandalised his more conservative subjects and set off a months-long royal soap opera, after taking the unprecedented step to openly divorce his first wife. King Misuzulu kaZwelithini earlier this year overturned generations of Zulu royal tradition and family discretion to publicly file for a split from the mother of his children. While Zulu kings have traditionally practised polygamy, with no limit to the number of wives they might have, divorce did not take place – and if it did, it was kept out of the public eye – making the king's recent announcement such a bombshell. In the months following his decision, the king's difficulties juggling different wives and fiancées have been thrust into the spotlight of social media, both fascinating and dismaying his subjects. Queen Ntokozo kaMayisela has not taken her dismissal lightly, going to court to stop her husband holding another wedding in late January. Royal watchers have since eagerly tried to decode the significance of royal appearances and utterances, looking for clues as to which of the king's partners might be in his favour. Cultural experts say the furore has highlighted the evolving position of indigenous marriage laws and the growing tensions between customary and civil unions as times change. While the king has no legislative power, he acts as the custodian of traditions and customs for 12 million Zulus, with many looking up to him as a moral authority. The royal household also receives a hefty annual subsidy of more than £3 million from the provincial government for upkeep and cultural activities. Anthony Diala, a scholar of African customary law, said that the 50-year-old king, having grown up in neighbouring Eswatini (formerly Swaziland) and studied in America, was seen as a monarch for a new generation. He said: 'As a significant cultural authority, it is understandable why his family are in the headlines about a divorce.' According to Professor Gugu Mazibuko, a cultural expert at the University of Johannesburg, the announcement left the community stunned. She said: 'When the news came, it came as a shock. There was outcry, because according to Zulu practices in the olden times, you were not supposed to divorce your wife. 'If the wife misbehaved, or did something unacceptable, you were supposed to build a hut at the edge of the homestead. The reason was not to isolate them but to ensure she was always taken care of.' Divorce may have become increasingly common among ordinary Zulus, but the king's role as a cultural leader left many shocked. The king met Queen Ntokozo in 2009 at his sister Princess Bukhosibemvelo's wedding. They had been together since then and had two children, but only officially married in 2021 as he prepared to ascend the throne. They chose a modern marriage over a traditional wedding, and she sat beside him at his state coronation in October 2022. However, papers filed for the king at the start of the year cited an irretrievable breakdown in the marriage, claiming the pair had not lived together as man and wife for more than a year. The divorce papers were quickly followed by palace invitations for the king's traditional wedding to a new bride, Nomzamo Myeni. Queen Ntokozo went to court to stop the wedding, which was postponed as a result. She argued that the king would be committing bigamy since they remained married under civil law. While the judge threw out her case, the marriage to Ms Myeni remains on hold and the king has reportedly sent her family a cow as a gesture of appeasement. In 2022, the king also married Nozizwe kaMulela, a prominent banker in Eswatini, though they are seldom seen together, fuelling speculation about whether the marriage was completed and whether they are still in a relationship. The king's marriages are not the only difficulties he has faced during his short reign. Another faction of the family has challenged his right to the throne in a bruising succession battle, and he has clashed with the government over his stewardship of a financially lucrative land trust. In the latest twist to his tangled marital life, the king formally acknowledged Queen Ntokozo last weekend when she attended a traditional festival. His actions were seen by many as potentially showing she was back in favour. Prof Mazibuko said: 'She attended and he introduced her as his wife. 'Social media was buzzing.' She added: 'We expected that the journey [of the king's reign] would not be smooth in the beginning, maybe now it will become much better.' 'The king will always have enemies anyway.' Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Telegraph
16-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
Zulu king shocks polygamous society with decision to divorce first wife
South Africa's Zulu king has scandalised his more conservative subjects and set off a months-long royal soap opera, after taking the unprecedented step to openly divorce his first wife. King Misuzulu kaZwelithini earlier this year overturned generations of Zulu royal tradition and family discretion to publicly file for a split from the mother of his children. While Zulu kings have traditionally practised polygamy, with no limit to the number of wives they might have, divorce did not take place – and if it did, it was kept out of the public eye – making the king's recent announcement such a bombshell. In the months following his decision, the king's difficulties juggling different wives and fiancées have been thrust into the spotlight of social media, both fascinating and dismaying his subjects. Queen Ntokozo kaMayisela has not taken her dismissal lightly, going to court to stop her husband holding another wedding in late January. Looking for clues Royal watchers have since eagerly tried to decode the significance of royal appearances and utterances, looking for clues as to which of the king's partners might be in his favour. Cultural experts say the furore has highlighted the evolving position of indigenous marriage laws and the growing tensions between customary and civil unions as times change. While the king has no legislative power, he acts as the custodian of traditions and customs for 12 million Zulus, with many looking up to him as a moral authority. The royal household also receives a hefty annual subsidy of more than £3 million from the provincial government for upkeep and cultural activities. Community left 'stunned' Anthony Diala, a scholar of African customary law, said that the 50-year-old king, having grown up in neighbouring Eswatini (formerly Swaziland) and studied in America, was seen as a monarch for a new generation. He said: 'As a significant cultural authority, it is understandable why his family are in the headlines about a divorce.' According to Professor Gugu Mazibuko, a cultural expert at the University of Johannesburg, the announcement left the community stunned. She said: 'When the news came, it came as a shock. There was outcry, because according to Zulu practices in the olden times, you were not supposed to divorce your wife. 'If the wife misbehaved, or did something unacceptable, you were supposed to build a hut at the edge of the homestead. The reason was not to isolate them but to ensure she was always taken care of.' Divorce may have become increasingly common among ordinary Zulus, but the king's role as a cultural leader left many shocked. Irretrievable breakdown in the marriage The king met Queen Ntokozo in 2009 at his sister Princess Bukhosibemvelo's wedding. They had been together since then and had two children, but only officially married in 2021 as he prepared to ascend the throne. They chose a modern marriage over a traditional wedding, and she sat beside him at his state coronation in October 2022. However, papers filed for the king at the start of the year cited an irretrievable breakdown in the marriage, claiming the pair had not lived together as man and wife for more than a year. The divorce papers were quickly followed by palace invitations for the king's traditional wedding to a new bride, Nomzamo Myeni. Queen Ntokozo went to court to stop the wedding, which was postponed as a result. She argued that the king would be committing bigamy since they remained married under civil law. While the judge threw out her case, the marriage to Ms Myeni remains on hold and the king has reportedly sent her family a cow as a gesture of appeasement. In 2022, the king also married Nozizwe kaMulela, a prominent banker in Eswatini, though they are seldom seen together, fuelling speculation about whether the marriage was completed and whether they are still in a relationship. The king's marriages are not the only difficulties he has faced during his short reign. Another faction of the family has challenged his right to the throne in a bruising succession battle, and he has clashed with the government over his stewardship of a financially lucrative land trust. In the latest twist to his tangled marital life, the king formally acknowledged Queen Ntokozo last weekend when she attended a traditional festival. His actions were seen by many as potentially showing she was back in favour. Prof Mazibuko said: 'She attended and he introduced her as his wife. 'Social media was buzzing.' She added: 'We expected that the journey [of the king's reign] would not be smooth in the beginning, maybe now it will become much better.' 'The king will always have enemies anyway.'
