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Isilo
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King of the KwaZulu Tribal Authority
King Goodwill Zwelithini was born in July 1948 at Nongoma in KwaZulu Natal. He is the eldest son of King Cyprian and his second wife, Queen Thomo. He was educated at the Bekezulu College of Chiefs and then privately tutored. He lived at his father's official residence at Khethomthandayo and received formal instruction in traditional Zulu customs. In 1968 his father died and a regent was appointed to look after the administration of the Royal affairs while Zwelithini completed his education. A heated debate ensued between the South African government and the KwaZulu royal family over the choice of regency.
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. The country's constitution made the King's role ceremonial and subject to the authority of the Chief Minister, Mangosuthu Buthelezi. Tensions arose between the two leaders. In 1975 Buthelezi accused Zwelithini of meddling in party politics. As a result the KwaZulu government demanded that Zwelithini obtain cabinet approval to travel outside the Nongoma Tribal Authority Area. In 1979 Buthelezi further accused Zwelithini of conspiring with the Mozambican government and rejected the King's branding of the KwaZulu government as the puppet of the South African government. He was further charged with trying to form a political party, Inala, aimed at giving him power to appoint the Kwazulu Chief Minister.
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The Kings Men
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In reply to these allegations the KwaZulu government issued a protocol guide which limited Zwelithini's constitutional role. He refused to address the KwaZulu Legislative Assembly as was his norm and rumours of his unseating abounded. Buthelezi's response was to cut the royal salary and an inquiry was launched into the allegations of misconduct. Part of the investigation was into Zwelithini's alleged support of armed revolution. In 1979 Zwelithini denied the allegations, including a claim that he advocated violence in KwaZulu to overthrow the Zulu state. The KwaZulu government eventually restored his salary.
In 1980 Zwelithini was forbidden to give interviews without the approval and presence of the KwaZulu Minister of Justice. In the early eighties political violence and vigilante activity began in KwaZulu as a result of tensions between Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) and United Democratic Front (UDF) supporters. The African National Congress (ANC) President, Oliver Tambo, criticised the KwaZulu government for inciting the violence. Zwelithini demanded an apology for this. He did this in defiance of the constraints placed on him, which prevented him from commenting on political issues. The ANC was particularly upset with his opposition to international sanctions against apartheid. Zwelithini threw his lot in with Buthelezi and put his weight behind Inkatha, calling on his followers to support the organisation and warning those who did not.
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Nguni Herd
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In 1989 he attacked the ANC leadership for not inviting himself and Buthelezi to a rally welcoming back the Rivonia trialists, who had been released after almost three decades of imprisonment. In 1991 he called for peace at a May Day Rally and accused the ANC was fostering anti-Zulu feelings. During the Convention for a Democratic South Africa (CODESA) Zwelithini's status became a point of bitter contention between Buthelezi and the Codesa delegates. In an about face, Buthelezi refused to attend CODESA 2 in May 1992 in protest of the lack of clarity on the future of the King's position. In July 1992, Nelson Mandela assured Zwelithini that his status was assured under a new government. This created wider expectations of a dispensation inclusive of various ethnic monarchs in South Africa.
Zwelithini's finances are controlled by the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial authorities and his lavish lifestyle and the future of the Zulu royal house has been a matter of much debate.
Zwelithini has six wives and stays in Nongoma, KwaZulu-Natal.
Article written by Peter Gastrow.
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The Royal Princess
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Goodwill Zwelethini kaBhekuzulu
'''Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu''' (b. 14 July 1948 at Nongoma) is the current (2004) king of the Zulu nation.
He became king on the death of his father king Cyprian Bhekuzulu kaSolomon in 1968. Prince Israel Mcwayizeni KaSolomon acted as the regent 1968-1971 while the Prince was in exile in St. Helena for three years fearing the distinct danger of assassination. After his 21st birthday and his marriage, Zwelithini was installed as the eighth Monarch of the Zulus at a traditional ceremony at Nongoma on 3 December 1971, attended by 20000 people. The country&8217;s constitution made the King&8217;s role ceremonial and subject to the authority of the Chief Minister, Mangosuthu Buthelezi. Zwelithini&8217;s finances are controlled by KwaZulu-Natal Provincial authorities.
In 1989 he attacked the ANC leadership for not inviting himself and Buthelezi to a rally welcoming back the Rivonia trialists, who had been released after almost three decades of imprisonment.
As a constitutional monarch of the Kingdom of KwaZulu-Natal, he is the head of the Ubukhosi (Monarchy), the institution of Traditional Leadership. His leadership role also entails his being chairman of the Usuthu Tribal Authority and Nongoma Regional Authority, both established under the provisions of the KwaZulu Amakhosi and Iziphakanyiswa Act.
As the custodian of Zulu traditions and customs, he 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, and the Ukweshwama, the first fruits ceremony, which is a traditional function involving certain traditional rituals.
In June, 1994, the University of Zululand honoured him with a honourary doctorate in agriculture. He is Chancellor of the South African branch of the American-based Newport University. In March 1999 Cocker College of South Carolina, USA awarded the King with an honourary 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 will premiere at The Market Theatre, Johannesburg on 16 March, 2005.
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Pretty Princesses and chaperone
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Marriages
* 27th December 1969 at St Margaret's Church, Nongoma, HM Queen maDlamini (Sibongile Winifred Dlamini)
* Queen Buthle MaMathe, born c1951 - (see (Talk:)
* 1973 Queen Mantfombi Dlamini, born 1956, daughter of HM King Sobhuza II of Swaziland, sister of present monarch HM King Mswati III of Swaziland. A condition for this marriage is that she become the First Wife - which has significance for the kings succession.
* Thandikela Jane Ndlovu (Queen Thandi)
* 25th July 1992, Nompumelelo Mchiza
* In 2004, the king took a 17 year old Swazi girl as his sixth wife
Children
27 Children (as of 2003), including:
* Prince Lethukuthula Zulu (by Queen MaDlamini), born 1970.
* Princess Sibusile Zulu (by Queen Buhle MaMathe), born 1972.
* Prince Shlobosenkosi Zulu (by Queen Buhle MaMathe)
* Prince Misuzulu Zulu (by Queen Mantfombi), born 23rd September 1974 in Kwahlabisa, KwaZulu-Natal, he is currently pursuing a Degree in Business Administration in Florida, USA, and is a strong candidate for Zwelethini's successor.
* Princess Ntandoyesizwe Zulu (by Queen Mantfombi), born 1976, married 13th April 2002 at Enyokeni Royal Palace, Nongoma, to Kgosi Oupa Moilwa, Chief of the baHurusthe bagaMoilwa. Civil ceremony July 11th, 2004 in Pongola.
* Princess Nandi Zulu (by Queen Buhle MaMathe), born 1977, married (civil) 6th December 2002 in St John's Anglican Cathedral in Umtata and (traditional) 7th December at the Thembu Great Place near Qunu, to Chief Mfundo Bovulengwa Mtirara, born 25th March 1973, Acting Deputy Paramount Chief of the Thembu from 2000, Chief of the Matye'ngqina Traditional Authority Area.
Zululand Eco-Adventures
Eshowe.
Zululand.
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Top level
Zulu Leaders
