Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu
Encyclopedia
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 republic
an constitution
.
He became king on the death of his father, His late Majesty King Cyprian Bhekuzulu kaSolomon
in 1968. HRH Prince Israel Mcwayizeni KaSolomon acted as the regent 1968-1971 while the King took refuge in St. Helena for three years to avoid 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 20,000 people.
(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). 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. For his safety, federal troops escorted Zwelithini by helicopter to Johannesburg
. 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 program, physically intimidating Chief Sifiso. The televised incident drew national attention and a public rebuke from Mandela, prompting Buthelezi to apologize to the royal family, Cabinet and nation for his behavior. Relations between Zwelithini and Buthelezi later improved.
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-Natal
provincial authorities.
In 1989 he criticized the ANC
leadership for not inviting him and Buthelezi to a rally welcoming back the Rivonia Trial
defendant
s, 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 the Ubukhosi:
Zwelithini has been criticised for overspending on 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 900,000 Rand ($123,500) on luxury vehicles alone.
education among Zulu women, 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. 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.
Paramount chief
A paramount chief is the highest-level traditional chief or political leader in a regional or local polity or country typically administered politically with a chief-based system. This definition is used occasionally in anthropological and archaeological theory to refer to the rulers of multiple...
of the Zulu nation under the Traditional Leadership clause of South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
's republic
Republic
A republic is a form of government in which the people, or some significant portion of them, have supreme control over the government and where offices of state are elected or chosen by elected people. In modern times, a common simplified definition of a republic is a government where the head of...
an constitution
Constitution of South Africa
The Constitution of South Africa is the supreme law of the country of South Africa. It provides the legal foundation for the existence of the republic, sets out the rights and duties of its citizens, and defines the structure of the government. The current constitution, the country's fifth, was...
.
He became king on the death of his father, His late Majesty King Cyprian Bhekuzulu kaSolomon
Cyprian Bhekuzulu kaSolomon
Cyprian Bhekuzulu Nyangayezizwe kaSolomon was the king of the Zulu nation from 1948 until his death at Nongoma in 1968. He succeeded his father, king Solomon kaDinuzulu, after a lengthy succession dispute which was only resolved in 1944...
in 1968. HRH Prince Israel Mcwayizeni KaSolomon acted as the regent 1968-1971 while the King took refuge in St. Helena for three years to avoid assassination. After his 21st birthday and his marriage, Zwelithini was installed as the eighth monarch
Monarch
A monarch is the person who heads a monarchy. This is a form of government in which a state or polity is ruled or controlled by an individual who typically inherits the throne by birth and occasionally rules for life or until abdication...
of the Zulus at a traditional ceremony at Nongoma on 3 December 1971, attended by 20,000 people.
Political role
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 PartyInkatha Freedom Party
The Inkatha Freedom Party is a political party in South Africa. Since its founding, it has been led by Mangosuthu Buthelezi. It is currently the fourth largest party in the National Assembly of South Africa.-History:...
(IFP) initially opposed parts of the new constitution advocated by the African National Congress
African National Congress
The African National Congress is South Africa's governing Africanist political party, supported by its tripartite alliance with the Congress of South African Trade Unions and the South African Communist Party , since the establishment of non-racial democracy in April 1994. It defines itself as a...
(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
Premier
Premier is a title for the head of government in some countries and states.-Examples by country:In many nations, "premier" is used interchangeably with "prime minister"...
, on occasion South African President Nelson Mandela
Nelson Mandela
Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela served as President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999, and was the first South African president to be elected in a fully representative democratic election. Before his presidency, Mandela was an anti-apartheid activist, and the leader of Umkhonto we Sizwe, the armed wing...
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). Nonetheless, the IFP remained in power in the province until 2003.
During most of the King's reign
Reign
A reign is the term used to describe the period of a person's or dynasty's occupation of the office of monarch of a nation or of a people . In most hereditary monarchies and some elective monarchies A reign is the term used to describe the period of a person's or dynasty's occupation of the office...
his cousin ("uncle" in Zulu kinship
Kinship
Kinship is a relationship between any entities that share a genealogical origin, through either biological, cultural, or historical descent. And descent groups, lineages, etc. are treated in their own subsections....
reckoning), Mangosuthu Buthelezi
Mangosuthu Buthelezi
Inkosi Mangosuthu Buthelezi is a South African Zulu politician who founded the Inkatha Freedom Party in 1975 and continues to lead the party today.His praise name is Shenge.-Early life:...
, 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. For his safety, federal troops escorted Zwelithini by helicopter to Johannesburg
Johannesburg
Johannesburg also known as Jozi, Jo'burg or Egoli, is the largest city in South Africa, by population. Johannesburg is the provincial capital of Gauteng, the wealthiest province in South Africa, having the largest economy of any metropolitan region in Sub-Saharan Africa...
. Although Buthelezi was then serving as Home Affairs minister in South Africa's Cabinet
Cabinet (government)
A Cabinet is a body of high ranking government officials, typically representing the executive branch. It can also sometimes be referred to as the Council of Ministers, an Executive Council, or an Executive Committee.- Overview :...
, 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
South African Broadcasting Corporation
The South African Broadcasting Corporation is the state-owned broadcaster in South Africa and provides 18 radio stations as well as 3 television broadcasts to the general public.-Early years:Radio broadcasting began in South Africa in 1923...
's studio when Buthelezi and his bodyguards forcibly interrupted the program, physically intimidating Chief Sifiso. The televised incident drew national attention and a public rebuke from Mandela, prompting Buthelezi to apologize to the royal family, Cabinet and nation for his behavior. Relations between Zwelithini and Buthelezi later improved.
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-Natal
KwaZulu-Natal
KwaZulu-Natal is a province of South Africa. Prior to 1994, the territory now known as KwaZulu-Natal was made up of the province of Natal and the homeland of KwaZulu....
provincial authorities.
In 1989 he criticized the ANC
African National Congress
The African National Congress is South Africa's governing Africanist political party, supported by its tripartite alliance with the Congress of South African Trade Unions and the South African Communist Party , since the establishment of non-racial democracy in April 1994. It defines itself as a...
leadership for not inviting him and Buthelezi to a rally welcoming back the Rivonia Trial
Rivonia Trial
The Rivonia Trial was a trial that took place in South Africa between 1963 and 1964, in which ten leaders of the African National Congress were tried for 221 acts of sabotage designed to overthrow the apartheid system.-Origins:...
defendant
Defendant
A defendant or defender is any party who is required to answer the complaint of a plaintiff or pursuer in a civil lawsuit before a court, or any party who has been formally charged or accused of violating a criminal statute...
s, 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 the Ubukhosi:
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 of Ubukhosi 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.
Zwelithini has been criticised for overspending on 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 900,000 Rand ($123,500) on luxury vehicles alone.
Cultural role
As the custodian of Zulu traditions and customs, Zwelithini has revived cultural functions such as the Umhlanga, the colourful and symbolic reed dance ceremony which, amongst other things, promotes moral awareness and AIDSAIDS
Acquired immune deficiency syndrome or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is a disease of the human immune system caused by the human immunodeficiency virus...
education among Zulu women, and the Ukweshwama, the first fruits
First Fruits
First Fruits are a religious offering of the first agricultural produce of the harvest. In classical Greek, Roman, Hebrew and Christian religions, the first fruits were offered to the temple or church. First Fruits were often a primary source of income to maintain the religious leaders and the...
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. He has also traveled abroad extensively to promote tourism and trade in the West
West
West is a noun, adjective, or adverb indicating direction or geography.West is one of the four cardinal directions or compass points. It is the opposite of east and is perpendicular to north and south.By convention, the left side of a map is west....
for KwaZulu-Natal, and to fundraise for Zulu-supported charities, often accompanied by one of his queens consort
Queen consort
A queen consort is the wife of a reigning king. A queen consort usually shares her husband's rank and holds the feminine equivalent of the king's monarchical titles. Historically, queens consort do not share the king regnant's political and military powers. Most queens in history were 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
University of Zululand
The University of Zululand has been designated to serve as the only comprehensive tertiary educational institution north of the uThukela River in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Its new status is in accordance with South Africa's National Plan for Higher Education aimed at eradicating inequity and...
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
Coker College
Coker College offers a four-year program that emphasizes a practical application of the liberal arts as well as hands-on and discussion-based learning within and beyond the classroom. Coker is ranked among the "Best Colleges" in the South by U.S. News & World Report as well as The Princeton Review...
of South Carolina
South Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
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
Market Theatre
The Market Theatre, based in the vibrant inner-city suburb of Newtown in Johannesburg, South Africa, was opened in 1976, operating as an independent, non-racial theatre during the country’s apartheid regime...
, Johannesburg
Johannesburg
Johannesburg also known as Jozi, Jo'burg or Egoli, is the largest city in South Africa, by population. Johannesburg is the provincial capital of Gauteng, the wealthiest province in South Africa, having the largest economy of any metropolitan region in Sub-Saharan Africa...
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.
Wives and Children
27 children (as of 2003), including:- maDlamini (born Sibongile Winifred Dlamini), married 27 December 1969] at St Margaret's Church, Nongoma.
- HRH Prince Lethukuthula Zulu (by Queen MaDlamini), born 1970.
- HRH Princess Nombuso Zulu (by Queen Sibongile MaDlamini) owner of Durban based, Ilembe Catering Services,born 1973.
- HRH Ntombizosuthu Ka Zwelithini Duma (by Queen Sibongile MaDlamini) a business woman who co- owns Strategic Persuasions and Zamalwandle Transport Logistics with her husband. Born 1979, Married to Mbongiseni Duma, a Johannesburg based business man.
- HRH 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.
- HRH Princess Snethemba Bati Zulu (by Queen Sibongile Dlamini), born 1989, currently pursuing a degree in International Relations, at the University of Witwatersrand.
- Buthle MaMathe, born cCircaCirca , usually abbreviated c. or ca. , means "approximately" in the English language, usually referring to a date...
1951. In May 1996, she and her daughter were seriously wounded in an assault during which they were clubbed, stabbed and shot.- HRH Princess Sibusile Zulu (by Queen Buhle MaMathe), born 1972.
- HRH Princess Nandi Zulu (by Queen Buhle MaMathe), born 1977, married (civil) 6 December 2002] in St John's Anglican Cathedral in MthathaMthathaMthatha is the main town of the King Sabata Dalindyebo Local Municipality in Eastern Cape province of South Africa. The town has an airport, previously known by the name K. D. Matanzima Airport after former leader Kaiser Matanzima....
and (traditional) 7 December at the Thembu Great Place near QunuQunuQunu is a small rural village in South Africa's Eastern Cape Province, south-west of Mthatha on the road between Butterworth and Mthatha.Mvezo on Mbashe River is near where Nelson Mandela was born, and Qunu is where he grew up and later retired after leaving office as South Africa's President in...
, to Chief Mfundo Bovulengwa Mtirara, born 25 March 1973, Acting Deputy Paramount Chief of the ThembuThembuThe Thimbu are one of the handful of nations and population groups which speak Xhosa in South Africa. In Xhosa the name is abaThembu, aba- being a common prefix for peoples....
from 2000, Chief of the Matye'ngqina Traditional Authority Area. - HRH Prince Shlobosenkosi Zulu (by Queen Buhle MaMathe) born 1988 is currently an 11th Grade student at Kearsney CollegeKearsney CollegeKearsney College is a private boarding school for boys in Botha's Hill, a small town that lies between the provincial capital of Pietermaritzburg and Durban, the largest city of KwaZulu-Natal, a province in South Africa.- History :...
in Botha's HillBotha's HillBotha's Hill is a small town outside Hillcrest in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. It is the gateway to the Valley of a Thousand Hills. Kearsney College moved to Botha's Hill in 1939....
, DurbanDurbanDurban is the largest city in the South African province of KwaZulu-Natal and the third largest city in South Africa. It forms part of the eThekwini metropolitan municipality. Durban is famous for being the busiest port in South Africa. It is also seen as one of the major centres of tourism...
.
- Mantfombi Dlamini, born 1956, daughter of Sobhuza II of SwazilandSobhuza II of SwazilandNgwenyama Sobhuza II was the Paramount Chief and later King of Swaziland. He was the son of Ngwane V.-Biography:...
and sister of Mswati IIIMswati III of SwazilandMswati III is the King of Swaziland and head of the Swazi Royal Family. In 1986, he succeeded his father Sobhuza II as ruler of the southern African kingdom...
, married 1973.- HRH Prince Misuzulu Zulu (by Queen Mantfombi), born 23 September 1974 in Kwahlabisa, KwaZulu-NatalKwaZulu-NatalKwaZulu-Natal is a province of South Africa. Prior to 1994, the territory now known as KwaZulu-Natal was made up of the province of Natal and the homeland of KwaZulu....
, is currently pursuing a degree in International StudiesInternational studiesInternational Studies generally refers to the specific University Degrees and courses which are concerned with the study of ‘the major political, economic, social, cultural and sacral issues that dominate the international agenda’...
in Jacksonville, FloridaJacksonville, FloridaJacksonville is the largest city in the U.S. state of Florida in terms of both population and land area, and the largest city by area in the contiguous United States. It is the county seat of Duval County, with which the city government consolidated in 1968...
, and is a strong candidate for Zwelethini's successor. He is unmarried and has one son. - HRH Princess Ntandoyesizwe Zulu (by Queen Mantfombi), born 1976, married 13 April 2002 at Enyokeni Royal Palace, Nongoma, to Kgosi Oupa Moilwa, Chief of the Bahurutse Bagamoilwa. Civil ceremony July 11, 2004 in Pongola.
- HRH Princess Lomkhosi (by Queen Mantfombi), born 1982, fiancee Melusi Moyo
- HRH Princess Bukhosibemvelo, (by Queen Mantfombi), born 1985, married Sipho Nyawo, who paid 120 cows as part of ilobolo for the Zulu princess.
- Prince Lungelo (by Queen Mantfombi), a student at MichaelhouseMichaelhouseMichaelhouse is a full boarding senior school for boys founded in 1896. It is located in the Balgowan valley in the Midlands of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.- History :...
boarding school - Prince Mandlesizwe (by Queen Mantfombi)
- Prince Bizwekhaya (by Queen Mantfombi)
- Prince Masikomahle (by Queen Mantfombi)
- HRH Prince Misuzulu Zulu (by Queen Mantfombi), born 23 September 1974 in Kwahlabisa, KwaZulu-Natal
- Thandi (born Thandikela Jane Ndlovu).
- Nompumelelo Mchiza, married 25 July 1992.
- Zola Zelusiwe Mafu, born cCircaCirca , usually abbreviated c. or ca. , means "approximately" in the English language, usually referring to a date...
1986, married 2004- Prince Nhlendla (by Queen LaMafu)