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King of the Zulu Nation

This article is about the history and function of the Zulu monarchy as an institution. For the Zulu people themselves, see Zulu people. For a list of Zulu monarchs, see List of Zulu kings.
King of the Zulu Nation
Isilo Samabandla Onke
Ingonyama yamaZulu
Provincial
Incumbent
Misuzulu Zulu
since 7 May 2021
Details
StyleEnglish: His Majesty
IsiZulu: Ndabezitha
Heir presumptivePrince Jubezizweni
First monarchMnguni I (namesake of the Nguni people of which the Zulu nation is a part)
Zulu I ka Malandela (namesake of the Zulu nation)
Residences
  • Kwakhangelamankengane Palace
  • Khethomthandayo Palace
  • Linduzulu Palace
  • Dlamahlahla Palace
  • Osuthu Palace
  • Enkonyeni Palace
Websitezulumonarch.org

The King of the Zulu Nation (IsiZulu: Isilo Samabandla Onke or Ingonyama yamaZulu[1]) or simply the Zulu King, is the paramount subnational traditional leader of the amaZulu ethnolinguistic group, the Monarch of the KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa (i.e., the ceremonial figurehead of the Government of KwaZulu-Natal) and the Chief of the Usuthu Tribe.[2][3] The Zulu Kings trace their lineage to Mnguni.[4] Having largely been a minor but largely independent polity, they fell under the suzerainty of the Mthethwa when Shaka Zulu ascended to the throne with the support of his suzerain, King Dingiswayo.[5]

During the Mfecane, the Zulu Kingdom expanded significantly until the cession of territory by King Dingane to the Natalia Republic following the Battle of Blood River.[6] Zulu territory was annexed into the Natal Colony and the South African Republic following the Anglo-Zulu War during the reign of King Cetshwayo.[7] Following which, the Zulu Kingdom had a civil war whereby the Mandlakazi under Zibhebhu rebelled against the Usuthu faction of the monarch, during the reign of King Dinuzulu which was eventually reincorporated with the aid of Dinuzulu's Volunteers.[8] With the formation of the KwaZulu homeland, King Goodwill Zwelithini became a non-sovereign constitutional monarch of the Zulu.[9] Following the end of apartheid in 1994, KwaZulu was reincorporated into South Africa and the King was recognised as a traditional leader.[10][11] The reigning King is Misuzulu Zulu who ascended in 2021.[12]

Although South Africa is a constitutional republic, the Zulu ethnolinguistic group is afforded formal representation, inter alia, through the King's participation in the National House of Traditional Leaders,[11] who continues to act as the highest ceremonial and religious leader of the Zulu nation whose duties include hosting the Umkhosi Wokweshwama and Umhlanga Reed Dance.[13] He is paid a salary and the Zulu royal family receives a grant from the state.[2] He is the trustee of the Ingonyama Trust which administers rural land formerly part of the KwaZulu homeland.[14][15] The Zulu monarchy maintains relations with other monarchies such as Eswatini through dynastic marriages.[16]

The official seat of the monarchy is in Nongoma and his main seat is Kwakhangelamankengane Royal Palace among others.[17] Formally known as Isilo Samabandla Onke and Ingonyama YamaZulu in the Zulu language,[18] he is addressed as His Majesty in official English sources.[2] Although formal recognition by the President of South Africa is required for the King to enjoy his emoluments and assume his powers,[19] accession is by a form of agnatic primogeniture which gives preference to the sons of the Indlunkulu (great wife) in which he has some discretion to choose his successor.[20] The King's coronation incorporates Zulu religious elements such as the royal hunting of a lion,[21] entering of the kraal enrobed with the lion's pelt and cleansing of the throne, which binds the Zulu regiments to the King,[22] Christian elements such as the annointing[23] and secular elements such as the presentation of a certificate by the President.[24] The King exercises other official duties such as reading a speech at the opening of the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature,[25] and receiving the Executive Council of KwaZulu-Natal.[26]

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  8. ^ "South African Military History Society - Lectures - The Zulu Civil War, 1883-1888". samilitaryhistory.org. Retrieved 2024-10-19.
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  12. ^ South Africa Government Gazette dated 2022-03-17 number 46057. 2022-03-17.
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  17. ^ "Royal Houses and Palaces – Visit Nongoma". Retrieved 2024-10-19.
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