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South Africa’s royal scandal: as Princess Charlene mourns the loss of Zulu king, chaos erupts over his successor

Princess Charlene with close friend King Goodwill, Queen Mantfombi Shiyiwe, Dlamini ZuluPrince Misuzulu Zulu
Princess Charlene with close friend King Goodwill, Queen Mantfombi Shiyiwe, Dlamini ZuluPrince Misuzulu Zulu
South Africa

  • The king’s role is largely ceremonial but carries great significance to South Africa’s 12 million Zulu people
  • The late King Goodwill Zwelithini considered Princess Charlene of Monaco ‘a daughter’ – now a succession dispute has broken out

A new Zulu king was named in South Africa amid scenes of chaos, as members of the royal family questioned Prince Misuzulu Zulu’s claim to the title following his father’s death, and bodyguards suddenly whisked him away from the public announcement at a palace.

Prince Misuzulu Zulu, 46, whose name means “strengthening the Zulus”, was named heir in the last will of his deceased mother and queen, Shiyiwe Mantfombi Dlamini Zulu. Photo: AFP
Prince Misuzulu Zulu, 46, whose name means “strengthening the Zulus”, was named heir in the last will of his deceased mother and queen, Shiyiwe Mantfombi Dlamini Zulu. Photo: AFP

The controversy over the next king, a largely ceremonial role but one with great significance for South Africa and its 12 million Zulu people, has arisen after the death in March of King Goodwill Zwelithini, who had reigned since 1968.

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Zwelithini apparently named one of his six wives, Queen Mantfombi Shiyiwe Dlamini Zulu, as the “regent of the Zulu kingdom” in his will, but she died after holding the title for only a month, throwing the royal succession into turmoil.

Newly elected Zulu monarch Prince Misuzulu Zulu arrives with Amabutho, Zulu regiments, to attend the provincial memorial service at the Khangelakamankegane Royal Palace in Nongoma on May 7. Photo: AFP
Newly elected Zulu monarch Prince Misuzulu Zulu arrives with Amabutho, Zulu regiments, to attend the provincial memorial service at the Khangelakamankegane Royal Palace in Nongoma on May 7. Photo: AFP

The commotion broke out last week at the reading of Queen Mantfombi’s will and hours after a memorial service for her. The queen’s will named 46-year-old Prince Misuzulu, her eldest son with King Zwelithini, as the heir and next king.

But another prince objected and interrupted the announcement at the KwaKhangelamankengane Royal Palace in South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal province. Two princesses also have questioned whether the late king’s will gave Queen Mantfombi the right to nominate a successor upon her death.

Zulu Queen Mantfombi Dlamini Zulu attends the festival of Zulu 200, celebrating the existence of the Zulu Nation, in 2013, hosted at the King Shaka International airport in Durban. Photo: AFP
Zulu Queen Mantfombi Dlamini Zulu attends the festival of Zulu 200, celebrating the existence of the Zulu Nation, in 2013, hosted at the King Shaka International airport in Durban. Photo: AFP

King Zwelithini reportedly had 28 children with his different wives, and Queen Mantfombi was not his first wife. A dispute over succession had been brewing since the late king’s death, fascinating many South Africans with their very own royal scandal.

In fact, the Zulu monarchy had been rather drama free since King Goodwill Zwelithini reign started in 1968, and the king was popular among other royals, including long-time friend Princess Charlene of Monaco, who attended his funeral on March 18. In fact, the King considered Princess Charlene, originally from South Africa, a “daughter”, hence she even sat with his family during the proceedings.