Amabutho demand meeting with king
DURBAN - Some commanders of the Zulu nation’s amabutho (Zulu regiments) want Zulu King Misuzulu kaZwelithini to explain his recent appointment of the nation’s prime minister.
Two weeks ago, the king announced IFP Zululand District Mayor Thulasizwe Buthelezi as the new Zulu nation prime minister to replace long-serving prime minister Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi, who died in September.
While the commanders, who held a meeting in Empangeni in northern KwaZulu-Natal on Sunday pledged their loyalty to Misuzulu, they want him to brief them around his decision to appoint the IFP mayor as prime minister.
Problematic
One of the commanders who attended the meeting on Sunday, Zakheleni Xulu, said that they found the appointment of the IFP mayor ‘problematic’.
“Yes, as the commanders of the amabutho we accept that the appointment of a Zulu nation prime minister is the prerogative of Isilo (the king). However, what concerns us is that the new prime minister is neither an inkosi, nor a member of the Zulu royal family.
“He is just an ordinary person. Historically, the position of prime minister has always been held by a person who is either a member of the royal family or an inkosi. Our predicament as the commanders is that we are expected to salute the prime minister during traditional ceremonies and other events.
“In the case of the new prime minister, the amabutho will find it difficult to salute an ordinary person. That is why we are seeking an audience with the king so that he can provide advice on this matter,” he said.
Buthelezi, the previous prime minister, was a member of the royal family and an inkosi.
Structure
Zulu cultural expert, Professor Sihawu Ngubane said while the king had the right to appoint a person of his choice, it was important for a Zulu prime minister to be part of the Zulu nation’s traditional leadership structure.
The new Zulu nation prime minister, who is currently also the spokesperson of the king, said His Majesty will only respond to formal grievances. “As things stand, we know nothing about the meeting you are referring to.”