Parliament’s portfolio committee on land affairs and rural development was forced to discuss issues of the Ingonyama Trust with other people after Zulu King Misuzulu left the meeting early, citing ill-health. The committee, chaired by Member of Parliament (MP) Albert Mncwango from the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) was in Nongoma on Monday to meet with the Zulu King at KwaKhangela royal palace.  The Ingonyama Trust, which administers vast hectares of land on behalf of Zulu people, is at the centre…

King Misuzulu KaZwelithini has pointed fingers at an unnamed political party, claiming that it is behind the Pietermaritzburg High Court bid to liquidate the historic Ithala Bank and the turmoil within Ingonyama Trust. He claimed some politicians wanted the bank closed to avoid repaying huge sums they owe in loans, just as the VBS Bank was looted and shut down.  However, the Zulu King did not name the political party or politicians concerned, sparking speculations in KwaZulu-Natal and beyond.  The…

This year’s opening of the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature has been plunged into doubt after King Misuzulu KaZwelithini raised concerns about the newly chosen venue, saying it poses security challenges to him and other guests. The chosen venue is Woodburn Stadium in Pietermaritzburg after the provincial legislature dumped the Pietermaritzburg Royal Show Grounds which has hosted the official opening by two Zulu Kings for decades.  It is not known why the legislature decided to ditch the showgrounds for the opening billed for…

Zulu King Misuzulu KaZwelithini has turned to his former traditional prime minister and tasked him with organising the upcoming imbizo to deliberate on the Ingonyama Trust and the pending liquidation of Ithala Bank.  The Zulu King requested Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi to organise the gathering, usually called during periods of crises faced by the Zulu nation, via a letter seen by African Times. The Ingonyama Trust administers vast hectares of land in parts of KwaZulu-Natal collectively owned by the Zulu people.…

Zulu King Misuzulu KaZwelithini has called an urgent imbizo of the Zulu nation to discuss issues of Ingonyama Trust and Ithala Bank, which are deemed a threat.  The imbizo would be held at Mashobeni Royal Palace in Nongoma, northern KwaZulu-Natal, next week Friday (21 February 2025). In a message conveyed by the King’s former traditional prime minister, Reverend Thulasizwwe Buthelezi, he said the imbizo is called when the nation is facing threats and uses it to find solutions.  “His Majesty King…

King Misuzulu KaZwelithini has filled the first critical post that was left vacant last week he abruptly fired Prince Simphiwe of KwaMinyamanzi as his representative in the KwaZulu-Natal House of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders, and in the National House of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders in Cape Town. The Zulu King has since appointed Prince Sylope Gumbela Zulu from the Mandlakazi Royal House in Nongoma to take over the position. This is contained in a letter seen by the African Times…

King Misuzulu KaZwelithini has left everyone in the Zulu kingdom and beyond guessing about his next move after he did not use the all-important commemoration of the battle of Isandlwana in Nquthu in northern KwaZulu-Natal to fill key positions. The King also steered away from speaking about his highly publicised and pending divorce. He also said nothing to clear the confusion on whether he would still marry Queen Nomzamo Myeni of Jozini as his third wife or not. However, many…

The Pietermaritzburg High Court has struck off from the roll the urgent court application by Queen Ntokozo Mayisela to have King Misuzulu KaZwelithini barred from marrying a third wife, Nomzamo Myeni.  Mayisela dashed to the court after learning through the media that the Zulu King intended to marry Myeni on January 24 and 26 this year.  She argued that the monarch would be committing an offence of bigamy as he was still legally married to her in civil rites. The…

King Misuzulu KaZwelithini has ended his almost two months of seclusion period to come and address Zulu regiments, thanking them for upholding the sacred ceremony of Ukweshwama (the first fruit). The ceremony is also used as an annual traditional Zulu prayer for a good year ahead.  It was held at the newly built Mshobeni palace in Nongoma (across the Nkunzana river from KwaKhangela palace, named after one of the old palaces of the legendary King Shaka, the founder of the…

The Portfolio Committee on Land Reform and Rural Development is seeking to meet with Zulu King, Misuzulu KaZwelithini and other stakeholders to get to the bottom of the governance paralysis engulfing the Ingonyama Trust Board in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal. The committee took this resolution on Tuesday (January 14) after an impromptu meeting to address the matter. “The Portfolio Committee on Land Reform and Rural Development has, at its meeting this morning, resolved to request a meeting with King Misuzulu ka Zwelithini…