Two days before the coronation of King Misuzulu as the Zulu monarch, senior members of the AmaZulu royal family have announced Prince Buzabazi kaZwelithini as their preferred choice as the heir to the Zulu kingdom.
The announcement was made by the brothers of the late king at a media briefing in Fourways earlier on Thursday.
Prince Buzabazi is the third born son of the late King Goodwill Zwelithini and Queen Buhle Mathe of Kwadlamahlahla Royal House in Nongoma. He is the third candidate to be put forward to ascend the throne.
In a press briefing at the Indaba Hotel in Johannesburg on Thursday, Prince Mbonisi kaBhekuzulu, Prince Vulindlela kaBhekuzulu, and Prince Mathubesizwe kaBhekuzulu proclaimed the coronation process of the incoming king was a violation of customary rituals, which required them to be the ones taking him to the kraal.
“The people who have organised the coronation and are behind the current king are unknown to the royal house. The late king did everything with us and told us how he wanted things in the royal house to be done. We have been quiet for too long and these people are leading the Zulu nation astray,” said Mathubesizwe.
Mathubesizwe admitted that the conflict over the throne was causing a lot of division in the royal family, but this was perpetuated by certain members of the royal family.
“It’s a mess now because the kids are divided. It’s a pity we are only coming out now, so that gave them a chance to do as they wanted in the royal family.”
The late King Goodwill Zwelithini passed away in March last year at the age of 72 after being on the throne for 50 years, leaving behind six wives and at least 28 children.
The High Court in Pietermaritzburg cleared way for Prince Misuzulu to be crowned as the King of the Zulu nation following court battles over the succession for the throne. The government has also recognised Prince Misuzulu as the new King, and it has been gazetted.
Source: City Press, Eyewitness News, Times Live, SABC News, Jacaranda FM, image from Times Live: Sandile Ndlovu
