Misuzulu Sinqobile kaZwelithini, born on 23 September 1974, stands as the esteemed King of the Zulu Nation and Monarch of KwaZulu-Natal.
He is the second-oldest surviving son of the late King Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu and his Great Wife, Queen Mantfombi Dlamini Zulu. Rising to his role as the heir presumptive after the loss of his father on 12 March 2021, Misuzulu embodies leadership and resilience.
Officially appointed as king on 7 May 2021, his journey culminated in a momentous traditional coronation on 20 August 2022. The King was proudly crowned and officially recognized by the government on 29 October 2022, heralding a new chapter of hope and strength for the Zulu Nation.
King Misuzulu completed his early education in eSwatini, which is his mother’s home country, before moving to South Africa for high school at St. Charles College in Pietermaritzburg. On 6 May 2021, just a day before his mother’s funeral, he married his long-time partner, Ntokozo Mayisela. Their paths first crossed in August 2009 during the royal wedding of his sister, Princess Bukhosibemvelo, to former Transnet executive Sipho Nyawo at the Durban Botanic Gardens.
Following their marriage, on 13 May 2021, King Misuzulu dispatched a delegation to Ntokozo’s family to negotiate and pay lobola according to Zulu customs. The agreed-upon lobola included eight cows along with fifty thousand South African Rand.
While some sources suggest that he holds a degree in international studies, others indicate that he is currently pursuing this degree in Jacksonville, Florida. King Misuzulu and Ntokozo Mayisela have two children together, and he also has another child with Princess Wezizwe Sigcau of amaMpondo royalty.
The accession of King Misuzulu, King Goodwill Zwelithini’s third oldest surviving son, to the throne was a complex process rather than an immediate appointment. In the context of the Zulu Kingdom’s transition to a constitutional monarchy, the protocol for selecting a leader requires an official appointment. Following King Zwelithini’s passing, his Great Wife, Queen Mantfombi Dlamini, was named regent during the mourning period. On March 24, 2021, Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi, representing the Zulu Royal Family, announced that the new king would be named after this mourning period. The late king’s will designated Queen Mantfombi to appoint the next monarch.
There was a strong expectation among historians and cultural experts that King Misuzulu would be designated as the successor, largely due to his lineage as the son of the late king. However, some royal family members felt discussions on succession were premature. During King Zwelithini’s funeral, Princess Thembi Ndlovu indicated that the successor would ultimately be determined by divine choice.
Tragically, Queen Regent Mantfombi died on April 29, 2021, without publicly naming the next king. However, on May 7, 2021, during the reading of her will, it was revealed that she had indeed appointed King Misuzulu. This announcement sparked protests from certain family members, and on that day, King Misuzulu required protection from law enforcement.
Finally, King Misuzulu took part in the royal hunt on August 19, 2022, leading up to his coronation on October 29, 2022. The grand event was marked by the presence of notable figures including Cyril Ramaphosa, Jacob Zuma, and other prominent personalities. The coronation was held at Moses Mabhida Stadium, which necessitated road closures in the surrounding area to accommodate the significant attendance of supporters and dignitaries.
Discover information about the King’s vision for the royal family and the Zulu nation’s cultural heritage. Stay updated on news and initiatives that promote community unity and progress.
