Despite all attempts to bring all feuding members of the Zulu royal family under one roof to reconcile and start a new chapter, the seven siblings of King Misuzulu boycotted the meeting held at the Mashobeni royal palace on Wednesday.
The king’s siblings are princes Bambindlovu, Lungelo, Mandlesizwe, and Simengaye, as well as princesses Ntandoyesizwe, Nomkhosi, and Bukhosibemvelo, and their mother is Queen Mantfombi Dlamini-Zulu.
Late mom’s multimillion rands estate
The months-long feud with his siblings is over the multi-million rands estate of their late mother. It remains undistributed, allegedly because the King, in his capacity as the elder brother, is stalling it in a bid to starve her siblings to submission.
The mass meeting was called by the Zulu king to kick off reconciliation attempts. First within those who are on his side in the battle for the throne. And later to extend an olive branch to the supporters of his half-brother, Prince Simakade.
The latter is still vying for the throne. And he is planning to mount the last challenge against the sitting Zulu king in the Constitutional Court.
Chief among the delegation were heads of all Zulu royal houses, key figures in the monarch like Amakhosi (Chiefs), and others like historians and people who worked closely with the late King Goodwill Zwelithini, like historian and praise singer, Buzetsheni Mdletshe.
The meeting was held just across the Nkunzana river, which separates Uphongolo and Nongoma. And some of the King’s siblings were spotted at KwaKhangelamankengane royal palace. They did not bother to cross the river and attend the all-important meeting.
Siblings call meeting a sham
One of the siblings who did not attend the meeting, Princess Bukhosibemvelo, spoke to Sunday World. She said that they did not attend the meeting, which she described as a “sham” meant to fool members of the public.
“We are not in that meeting. And we note that Prince Thulani (the royal spokesperson) keeps on misleading the public about the matter. We were not present at the meeting today.
“Even some of the king’s wives are not there; his siblings are not there. Now, how can he claim that he is uniting the nation when he cannot unite his family and his brothers and sisters? This is a joke,” she said.
King affirms his positions
King Misuzulu addressed the reconciliation meeting from Mashobeni palace. He emphasised that the fight for the throne was not necessary as a King is born, not appointed. He was implying that he was destined for the position the day he was born.
“You don’t wake up as a sangoma; this thing is like being a sangoma. It comes with the spirit, a sangoma is born, a king is born. Are you still there?” he told the gathering.
