By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
King Misuzulu KaZwelithini has appointed Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi as the new traditional prime minister of the Zulu nation.
He further created a position for a deputy traditional prime minister and gave it to Inkosi Phathisizwe Chiliza of the Chiliza clan in the south coast. Buthelezi is the IFP Mayor of Zululand district municipality.
Amazulu king made the announcement during the commemoration of the Battle of Isandlwana in northern KwaZulu-Natal on Saturday.
He delivered his keynote speech, addressing thousands of people that gathered there.
Defending his decision to appoint a politician in this critical position in the Zulu nation, King Misuzulu said it was his independent decision, not a political decision.
“I heard that there were people who were saying appointing a traditional prime minister must be a royal house decision, actually it is the king’s decision.
“I appointed a new traditional prime minister because he worked with the late traditional prime minister Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi, and he knows what the late prime minister’s vision about the Zulu nation” he said.
King Misuzulu said he took his time asking God and ancestors about who to appoint to fill the gigantic Prince Mangosuthu’s shoes.
“I prayed to God and the late king showed me who is the traditional prime minister and I sat down with Zulu nation elders, and we agreed on these names.”
“Someone told me that people will say that I appointed EEF or IFP. I don’t work with politics. Those who think so they are mistaken. I do things according to Zulu culture without a politics. I’m Zulu and I’m not interest in politics, and I wish politician to stay away from my business,” said the king.
The year 2024 marks 145 years since Zulu regiments defeated the British army in the 1879 Anglo-Zulu War.
The site of the battle has since become a historic landmark, where the commemoration is held annually.
The Battle of Isandlwana is part of a series of the Anglo-Zulu War fought between the Zulu and British armies in 1879.
It was led by then-Zulu King Cetshwayo kaMpande, known by his praise name, “uJininindi omnyama”.
The Zulu regiments scored a decisive victory during the first battle before they were overpowered by the British army in the subsequent battle.
The position is key in the kingdom’s hierarchy and has been held by several people from various clans at different times.
However, some historians claim that Buthelezis clan got to hold the position thrice.
First by Inkosi Ngqengelele Buthelezi during the time of King Shaka.
At the time, he worked alongside Ngomane KaMqomboli Mdletshe and Mdlaka KaNcindi Ntshangase.
Soon afterwards, the role was then given to Mnyamana, the son of Inkosi Ngqengelele. Mnyamana served King Mpande but was more prominent during the reign of King Cetshwayo.
After him was Inkosi Mathole Buthelezi, Mangosuthu’s father.
In 1954, the position was bestowed on Mangosuthu by the late King Bhekuzulu.
During his lifetime, Prince Mangosuthu repeatedly said he had asked King Goodwill Zwelithini to feel free to appoint his own prime minister but never did.
“Umdlokombane (King Goodwill Zwelithini) never did that, and he kept on utilising me as his prime minister until he passed on,” Buthelezi said in 2021, at the height of the fight for the Zulu throne between Prince Simakade and King Misuzulu.
Buthelezi went on to serve under King Misuzulu kaZwelithini.
However, even before his death on September 9, there were already signs that the contest for the position under King Misuzulu would be between Prince Zuzifa Buthelezi, the son of Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi, and Prince Mthokozisi Mahlobo.
Prince Zuzifa gave up his lucrative career and life as a businessman in Gauteng and came back to be by the side of his father until he died.
King Misuzulu also announced the new young ibutho (Zulu warrior) and named them Silwanetshe. He said the name came after as the Zulu royal house is currently fighting in court for the Zulu throne.