King King Misuzulu kaZwelithini has appointed Inkosi Zuzifa Buthelezi, son of the late Zulu Prime Minister Inkosi Mangosuthu Buthelezi, as the new chairperson of the Zulu Kingdom Council.
The move is widely seen as a potential step toward grooming him for the role of Zulu prime minister.
The appointment was made official on Wednesday morning during a signing ceremony held in Durban. Prince Thulani Zulu was also reinstated as the official spokesperson for the royal household at the same event.
These key appointments come at a critical time, as royal elders prepare to meet with King Misuzulu on Thursday in a bid to defuse mounting tensions within the royal family.
The appointments were confirmed by Prince Thulani, who said he was called to come to Durban and was told on arrival that he was being brought back as the king's spokesperson.
“It was a surprise as no one had given me a hint of why the king wanted to see me,” he said.
Prince Thulani had previously occupied the position after serving the late King Goodwill Zwelithini KaBhekuzulu and, for a brief time, King Misuzulu before announcing his retirement in 2022.
Reacting to the appointment, Buthelezi said as much as he appreciates the trust bestowed on him by the king, he is not just accepting the position but the challenges that come with it, pledging to deliver on the king and the royal family’s expectations.
Buthelezi said he and Prince Thulani will first be briefed by the king before holding a media briefing next week to unpack what their positions entail.
Last month, Daily News reported that Buthelezi was earmarked for the position as a way of grooming him for the prime minister’s position.
Prince Thulani confirmed that royal elders will meet with the king today (Thursday) in Ulundi in the afternoon.
The elders have already held a meeting with the king's siblings to discuss the leaked audio, which revealed a heated argument between the king and his sister, Princess Nomkhosi Zulu.
The delegation will be led by the late King Cyprian’s wife, Queen Mavis (Gwabeni) Zulu, the late King Zwelithini’s wives and other senior princes and princesses.
Prince Gumbela Zulu, the king’s governmental representative, said it was important for the elders to hear the king’s side to get his version of what actually led to the bitter altercation with his sister.
A source within the family said the king is expected to reveal the reasons behind his problems with his siblings, which appear to be centred around the throne.
"The king will reveal that his sisters never wanted him to succeed his late father as king. The king will also tell the elders that his sisters want to control Imbube Lodge, which the late king left to all the siblings from Kwakhangelamankengane palace,” said the source.
He said that the king had moved his cattle from Emashobeni Royal Palace to graze inside the Imbube Lodge, and this had created animosity and accusations that he was trying to take over the lodge.
The lodge’s fence borders the Emashobeni Palace.
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