Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu

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Goodwill Zwelithini

King of the Zulus
Reign 17 September 1968 present
Coronation 3 December 1971
Predecessor Cyprian Bhekuzulu kaSolomon

Issue
27 including:[show]
Full name
Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu
Father Cyprian Bhekuzulu kaSolomon
Born July 14, 1948 (age 65)
Nongoma
Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu (born 14 July 1948 at Nongoma) is the reigning King of
the Zulu nation under the Traditional Leadership clause of South Africa's republican constitution.
He became king on the death of his father, King Cyprian Bhekuzulu kaSolomon, in 1968. Prince
Israel Mcwayizeni kaSolomon acted as the regent from 1968 to 1971 while the King took refuge
in St. Helena for three years to avoid assassination. After his 21st birthday and his first marriage,
Zwelithini was installed as the eighth monarch of the Zulus at a traditional ceremony at Nongoma on
3 December 1971, attended by 20,000 people.
Contents
[hide]
1 Political role
2 Cultural role
3 Controversy
4 Wives and children
5 See also
6 References
7 External links
Political role[edit]
In the power vacuum created in the 1990s as Apartheid and the domination of the country by White
South Africans was abolished, the King was sometimes unable to avoid being drawn into partisan
politics. The Zulu-dominated Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) initially opposed parts of the new
constitution advocated by the African National Congress (ANC) regarding the internal governance
of KwaZulu. In particular, the IFP campaigned aggressively for an autonomous and sovereign Zulu
king, as constitutional head of state. As a result, the IFP abstained from registering its party for the
1994 election (a necessity in order to receive votes) in opposition. However, once it became obvious
that its efforts were not going to stop the election (the IFP's desired goal), the party was registered. It
demonstrated its political strength by taking the majority of the provincial votes for KwaZulu-Natal.
Although the constitution makes the role of the King largely ceremonial, and it is incumbent upon him
to act on the official advice of the provincial premier, on occasion South African President Nelson
Mandela made efforts to bypass the IFP in negotiating with the Zulus, instead making direct
overtures to the King (Mandela's daughter, Zeni, is married to Prince Thumbumuzi Dlamini, a brother
of Zwelithini's "Great Wife", Queen Mantfombi).
[1]
Nonetheless, the IFP remained in power in the
province until 2003.
During most of the King's reign his cousin ("uncle" in Zulu kinship reckoning), Mangosuthu Buthelezi,
Prince of KwaPhindangene and founder/head of IFP, was the Zulu prime minister. But in September
1994 tension between the previously allied kinsmen peaked publicly as the annual Shaka
Zulu celebration approached. Rumors that the King was maneuvering to replace Buthelezi as Zulu
prime minister with former regent Prince Mcwayizeni, who had joined the ANC in 1990, seemed
likely after the King announced that Buthelezi would no longer be his chief advisor, and
simultaneously cancelled the holiday ceremony.
[1]
For his safety, federal troops escorted Zwelithini
by helicopter to Johannesburg.
[2]
Although Buthelezi was then serving as Home Affairs minister in
South Africa's Cabinet, President Mandela's efforts to broker a reconciliation failed. Buthelezi moved
the event from Nongoma to Stanger, and addressed a throng of 10,000 of his Zulu supporters.
Subsequently, the King's spokesman, Prince Sifiso Zulu, was being interviewed on television at
the South African Broadcasting Corporation's studio when Buthelezi and his bodyguards forcibly
interrupted the programme, physically intimidating Chief Sifiso. The televised incident drew national
attention and a public rebuke from Mandela, prompting Buthelezi to apologize to the Zulu Royal
Family, Cabinet and nation for his behavior.
[2]
Relations between Zwelithini and Buthelezi later
improved.
King Zwelithini has cooperated as the law requires with the ANC since it took over the reins of
government in KwaZulu-Natal. The King's finances are controlled by KwaZulu-Natalprovincial
authorities.
In 1989 he criticized the ANC leadership for not inviting him and Buthelezi to a rally welcoming back
the Rivonia Trial defendants, who had been released after almost three decades of imprisonment.
As the constitutional monarch of the kingdom of KwaZulu-Natal, he is head of the Ubukhosi, the
state-recognized institution of Traditional Leadership that consists of local chiefs. His leadership role
also entails chairmanship of the Usuthu Tribal Authority and Nongoma Regional Authority, both
established under the provisions of the KwaZulu Amakhosi and Iziphakanyiswa Act. In his address
upon the opening of the Provincial Parliament on September 28, 2003, the King advised the
government and legislators to give more heed to theUbukhosi:
Traditional Leaders are neither consulted nor involved in the process of formulating policies that
have a direct bearing on their day to day activities. The institution ofUbukhosi has been in existence
from time immemorial and has survived many hardships under past colonial regimes. From the point
of view of the ordinary citizen, an Inkosi's most important role may lie in his symbolizing of
community solidarity. So any notion that the institution of Ubukhosi, now that we have a democratic
government in place, can just be wished away, remains a pipe-dream. Some countries just across
our borders had decided to do away with the institution of traditional leadership immediately after
attaining independence from colonial rulers. However, they have since realised that they had
committed gross mistakes and were now re-inventing these institutions at great costs. As King of the
Zulu Nation I am proud of the role played by the Prime Minister of the Zulu Nation, Prince of
KwaPhindangene, Dr MG Buthelezi who had singlehandedly championed the cause of the Institution
of Traditional Leadership in this country.
[3]

Zwelithini has been criticised for buying luxury Mercedes Benz motor cars and other expensive
vehicles for his wives when a large percentage of the population in Kwa-Zulu Natal is living in
poverty. It emerged in 2006 that the royal household has spent ZAR900,000 ($123,500) on luxury
vehicles.
[citation needed]

Cultural role[edit]
The King is chairman of the Ingonyama Trust, a corporate entity established to administer the land
traditionally owned by the king for the benefit, material welfare and social well-being of the Zulu
nation. This land consists of 32% of the area of KwaZulu/Natal.
As the custodian of Zulu traditions and customs, King Zwelithini has revived cultural functions such
as the Umhlanga, the colourful and symbolic reed dance ceremony which, amongst other things,
promotes moral awareness and AIDS education among Zulu women,
[4][not in citation given]
and
the Ukweshwama, the first fruits ceremony, which is a traditional function involving certain traditional
rituals including the killing of a bull. The latter ceremony was subject to a lawsuit brought in
November 2009 by Animal Rights Africa, alleging that the method of killing the animal was cruel and
barbaric.
[5]
He has also traveled abroad extensively to promote tourism and trade in the West for
KwaZulu-Natal, and to fundraise for Zulu-supported charities, often accompanied by one of
his queens consort. On such occasions he is frequently officially hosted by local Zulu organizations,
and grants audiences to Zulus living abroad.
In June, 1994, the University of Zululand conferred an honorary doctorate in agriculture upon the
King. He is Chancellor of the South African branch of the American-based Newport University. In
March 1999 Coker College of South Carolina awarded him an honorary doctorate in law. During the
first half of 2001 he was inaugurated as Chancellor of the M L Sultan Technikon in KwaZulu-Natal.
The King's authorized biography, King of Goodwill, was published in 2003. The musical
dramatization of this work premiered at the Market Theatre, Johannesburg on 16 March 2005.
The King spoke at The Synagogue Church Of All Nations in Lagos, Nigeria, in 2004 regarding the
importance of trade and peace.
[6]

Controversy[edit]
In January, 2012, while speaking at an event commemorating the 133rd anniversary of the Battle of
Isandlwana, the King caused controversy with his statement that same-sex relations were "rotten".
His statements were condemned by the South African Human Rights Commission as well as LGBT
rights groups. President Jacob Zuma rebuked the king for his comments. The Zulu Royal Household
later said that the King's comments had been mistranslated and that he had not condemned same-
sex relations, only expressed concern about a state of moral decay in South Africa that has led to
widespread sexual abuse, including male-on-male sexual abuse.
[7]

In September 2012, King Goodwill Zwelithini asked the KwaZulu-Natal government for R18m to build
new property, including a new R6m palace for his youngest wife Queen Mafu and upgrades to
Queen MaMchiza's palace.
[8][9]

The King's royal household department CFO, Mduduzi Mthembu, told a parliamentary committee
that the money was needed. The department also requested USD1.4m for improvements to Queen
MaMchiza's palace.
[10]
The government had already budgeted around USD6.9m for the royal family
during 2012, not for the first time prompting accusations of lavish spending; in 2008, opposition
parties criticised King Zwelithini's wives for spending around USD24,000 on linen, designer clothes
and expensive holidays.
[10]

Wives and children[edit]
27 children (as of 2003), including:
1. maDlamini (born Sibongile Winifred Dlamini), married 27 December 1969] at St Margaret's
Church, Nongoma.
[11]

1. Prince Lethukuthula Zulu (by Queen Sibongile MaDlamini), born 1970.
2. Princess Nombuso Zulu (by Queen Sibongile MaDlamini) owner of Durban based,
Ilembe Catering Services,born 1973.
3. Ntombizosuthu Ka Zwelithini Duma (by Queen Sibongile MaDlamini) a
businesswoman who co-owns Strategic Persuasions and Zamalwandle Transport
Logistics with her husband. Born 1979, Married to Mbongiseni Duma, a
Johannesburg based business man.
[12][13][14]

4. Princess Ntandoyenkosi Ka Zwelithini Ngcaweni (by Queen Sibongile MaDlamini), an
Asset Manager at the Public Investment Corporation(PIC), born 1982. Married to
Busani Ngcaweni, who heads the office of the Deputy President of the Republic Of
South Africa, Deputy President Kgalema Motlante.
5. Princess Snethemba Bati Zulu (by Queen Sibongile Dlamini), born 1989, currently
pursuing a degree in International Relations, at the University of Witwatersrand.
2. Buthle MaMathe, born c1951. In May 1996, she and her daughter were seriously wounded in
an assault during which they were clubbed, stabbed and shot.
1. Princess Sibusile Zulu (by Queen Buhle MaMathe), born 1972.
2. Princess Nandi Zulu (by Queen Buhle MaMathe), born 1977, married (civil) 6
December 2002] in St John's Anglican Cathedral in Mthatha and (traditional) 7
December at the Thembu Great Place near Qunu, to Chief Mfundo Bovulengwa
Mtirara, born 25 March 1973, Acting Deputy Paramount Chief of the Thembu from
2000, Chief of theMatye'ngqina Traditional Authority Area.
3. Prince Phumuzuzulu (by Queen Buhle MaMathe - Phumuza, named after his Great
Grandfather King Phumuzululu kaDinuzulu, son King kaCetshwayo
4. Prince Shlobosenkosi Zulu (by Queen Buhle MaMathe) born 1988 is currently an
11th Grade student at Kearsney College in Botha's Hill, Durban.
3. Mantfombi Dlamini, born 1956, daughter of Sobhuza II of Swaziland and sister of Mswati III,
married 1973.
1. Prince Misuzulu Zulu (by Queen Mantfombi), born 23 September 1974
in Kwahlabisa, KwaZulu-Natal, is currently pursuing a degree in International
Studies inJacksonville, Florida, and is a strong candidate for Zwelethini's
successor.
[11]
He is unmarried and has one son.
2. Princess Ntandoyesizwe Zulu (by Queen Mantfombi), born 1976, married 13 April
2002 at Enyokeni Royal Palace, Nongoma, to Kgosi Oupa Moilwa, Chief of
theBahurutse Bagamoilwa. Civil ceremony July 11, 2004 in Pongola.
3. Princess Lomkhosi (by Queen Mantfombi), born 1982, fiancee Melusi Moyo
[15]

4. Princess Bukhosibemvelo, (by Queen Mantfombi), born 1985, married Sipho Nyawo,
who paid 120 cows as part of ilobolo for the Zulu princess.
[16]

5. Prince Lungelo (by Queen Mantfombi), a student at Michaelhouse boarding school
6. Prince Mandlesizwe (by Queen Mantfombi)
7. Prince Bizwekhaya (by Queen Mantfombi)
8. Prince Masikomahle (by Queen Mantfombi)
4. Thandi (born Thandikela Jane Ndlovu).
5. Nompumelelo Mchiza, married 25 July 1992.
6. Zola Zelusiwe Mafu, born c 1986,
[17]
married 2004
1. Prince Nhlendla (by Queen LaMafu)
Styles of
King Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu
Reference style His Majesty
Spoken style Your Majesty
Alternative style Sir
See also[edit]
List of Zulu kings
References[edit]
1. ^ Jump up to:
a

b
Keller, Bill (1994-09-21). "Zulu King Breaks Ties To Buthelezi". The New York
Times. Retrieved 2008-04-29.
2. ^ Jump up to:
a

b
Wade, Peter (1994-10-12). "SA Newsletter". University of Pennsylvania-African
Studies Center. Retrieved 2008-04-29.
3. Jump up^ "Speech by His Majesty King Goodwill Zwelithini". KwaZulu-Natal Parliament.
Archived from the original on October 5, 2006. Retrieved 2006-09-23.
4. Jump up^ Keller, Bill (1994-09-21). "Zulu King Breaks Ties To Buthelezi". The New York Times.
Retrieved 2008-04-29. "...a kind of debutantes' ball where Zulu maidens present themselves to
the King"
5. Jump up^ "Bid to stop 'cruel' Zulu ritual". BBC News. 24 November 2009. Retrieved 3 May
2010.
6. Jump up^ Okpanku, Justina (2004-01-16). "Tourism In Nigeria Needs To Be Prioritised - Zulu
King". This Day.
7. Jump up^ Mdletse, Canaan (2012-01-24). "Gay Slur uproar". The Times.
8. Jump up^ Zulu king wants R18m for more palaces News24
9. Jump up^ Zulu King Zwelithini's sixth wife 'needs palace' BBC
10. ^ Jump up to:
a

b
Zulu King Zwelithini's sixth wife 'needs palace', United Kingdom: BBC News,
2012, retrieved 10 September 2012
11. ^ Jump up to:
a

b
Right royal row divides King Zwelithini's court
12. Jump up^ Strategic Persuasions
13. Jump up^ Zamalwandle Transport Logistics
14. Jump up^ Wedding Images
15. Jump up^ Swazi royalty praised for Zwelithini's virgins Swazi Observer
16. Jump up^ More than 100 cows paid for Zulu princess IOL
17. Jump up^ Reed Dance keeps traditions alive Mail & Guardian