King Misuzulu's office issues contradictory statements amid wedding preparations

The office of King Misuzulu kaZwelithini appears to be in turmoil, following a day of confusion over the Zulu monarch’s public engagements and upcoming wedding plans.

Yesterday, the King’s office issued three contradictory statements within hours, leaving royal watchers and the public confused.

The confusion began when the office’s secretary, Arnold Ndamase, released a statement announcing that the King would address the nation at the KwaKhangelamankengane Royal Palace in Nongoma.

A few hours later, the King’s spokesperson, Prince Thulani kaGqikazi Zulu, issued a second statement postponing the address, only for yet another statement to emerge later suggesting the address would, in fact, go ahead.

The contradictory messages have added to growing uncertainty around the King’s inner circle, amid rumours that Prince Thulani has been relieved of his duties, claims that the King has publicly dismissed.

Despite the office seemingly in disarray, preparations are reportedly continuing for King Misuzulu’s wedding to his fiancée, Nomzamo Myeni, for whom lobolo has already been paid.

An invitation circulating on social media indicates that the royal delegation will depart for the Myeni homestead this Sunday, with the umkhehlo, celebratory pre-wedding ceremony where the bride bids farewell to her family, scheduled for Friday at Jozini Stadium.

While the Zulu royal family has not officially confirmed the details, a source familiar with the arrangements said planning for the ceremony was “still full steam ahead.”

A dignitary listed among the invitees declined to comment, saying:

“We are not mandated to speak to the media. Only the princes and princesses can speak to journalists.”

When asked for comment, Prince Thulani said he had not heard anything about the wedding.

Myeni, a former banker, is based at the eMachobeni Royal Palace in Ngwavuma and is the King’s third wife-to-be.

The delegation was initially meant to visit her family in January, but the ceremony was postponed following an urgent court application from Queen Ntokozo kaMayisela, King Misuzulu’s wife.

In court papers, Queen Ntokozo stated that she and the King were married in 2021, with all traditional rites, including umembeso, the presentation of gifts to her family, completed at her Newcastle home. However, the couple has not yet held umgcagco, the formal Zulu wedding ceremony.

Their relationship has been strained in recent months. Earlier this year, King Misuzulu filed for divorce, a move that divided cultural experts with some viewing it as unprecedented for a Zulu monarch, while others argued he was within his rights to use modern legal channels. The King later withdrew the application.

King Misuzulu also has another fiancée, Nozizwe Mulela, a bank executive from eSwatini, who is based at KwaKhangelamankengane after lobolo was paid for her in 2022. Despite rumours of a split, Mulela publicly reaffirmed her commitment earlier this year and has since been seen at several royal and traditional events.

Another woman linked to the monarch is Sihle Mdhluli, of the Ndwandwe royal family in Mpumalanga. She has recently accompanied the King to multiple ceremonies and public engagements, including his official trip to the United Arab Emirates last month.

The King later revealed that the UAE trip was “successful but difficult,” noting that he and his delegation had to eat only once due to a lack of provincial government funding.

SUNDAY TRIBUNE