Zulu regiments urge unity under King Misuzulu for stability.
Zulu regiments have made a heartfelt plea to opposing factions within the Zulu royal family, urging them to put aside their differences and unite behind King Misuzulu kaZwelithini. The call comes as the battle for the Zulu throne remains unresolved, threatening the stability of the royal household and the integrity of traditional leadership in KwaZulu-Natal.
The royal family remains deeply divided, with a faction still contesting King Misuzulu’s legitimacy despite his formal recognition by President Cyril Ramaphosa. The president’s decision, made under the Traditional and Khoi-San Leadership Act, is now being challenged in court. A hearing is currently underway in Bloemfontein, where Ramaphosa is defending the legality of his proclamation that acknowledged Misuzulu as the rightful king.
As legal teams prepare to conclude their arguments on Thursday, Zulu regiments — known as amabutho — gathered outside the courthouse in traditional attire, pledging their unwavering support for King Misuzulu. Wearing leopard-skin garments, the regiments sang Zulu war cries, hymns, and other traditional songs, sending a clear message that the throne must be respected, and the king upheld.
These Zulu regiments, long considered cultural custodians and protectors of the monarchy, have played an important role in reinforcing the legitimacy of King Misuzulu. Their presence was not merely ceremonial; it was a deeply symbolic display of loyalty. The regiments view themselves as an essential part of the traditional authority structure and believe their endorsement carries cultural weight that no legal process can override.
Zulu regiments urge unity under King Misuzulu to secure royal house stability
Induna Simphiwe Mhlongo, one of the regiment leaders, addressed the media outside court, urging dissenting members of the royal family to seek dialogue and reconciliation. He stressed that the king is crowned by his people, not by government authorities, and that the regiments have already performed their role in acknowledging Misuzulu’s kingship.
“To those attacking the throne, we’d like to urge them to sit down and have discussions,” said Mhlongo. “People need to return to their responsibilities and stop making unnecessary noise because the issue of the king will never change. I want to clarify that our king is not crowned by government. It is only us, the regiments, who do that — as we always have.”
Despite Misuzulu’s formal recognition and active role in ceremonial functions, opposition persists. Some royal family members claim that his succession was flawed, lacking consensus and procedural integrity. This internal strife has evolved into a broader legal and political issue, with questions about how traditional leadership structures should interface with modern governance and the law.
The Traditional and Khoi-San Leadership Act was designed to bring order to such matters, but instead, it has sparked renewed debates about the extent of state influence over indigenous customs. Legal scholars observing the case suggest that the Bloemfontein court’s ruling may establish important precedents for handling future leadership disputes involving traditional rulers.
Outside the courtroom, Zulu regiments continue to champion the message of unity and cultural preservation. For them, the dispute has gone beyond legal and familial concerns — it has become a threat to the cohesion of the Zulu nation. The Zulu regiments warn that ongoing divisions only weaken the monarchy and diminish the cultural heritage they are sworn to protect.
Mhlongo reiterated that the regiments’ call for unity was not political but rooted in the belief that without unity, the Zulu nation risks dishonoring its ancestors and traditions. “The throne is not a place for political or personal ambitions,” he said. “This throne belongs to the people and the ancestors. Our unity is our strength, and without it, we invite chaos into our homes.”
As court proceedings near their conclusion, the future of the Zulu monarchy hangs in the balance. But for the Zulu regiments, the matter has already been decided. They remain firm in their view that King Misuzulu is their rightful leader, chosen not just through formal declarations, but through lineage, ritual, and tradition.
Their message to the royal family and the public is resolute: unity is essential. Only by standing together under a single leader can peace and stability be restored within the royal household, and the cultural dignity of the Zulu nation preserved.
Source- EWN
