King Misuzulu clarifies issues concerning spokesperson
AFTER confusion and accusations of backstabbing between Prince Thulani Zulu and Prince Africa Zulu over who was the King Misuzulu’s rightful spokesperson, the king has weighed in to clarify the matter.
In a meeting attended by the king, Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi and other coronation committee members, the king formally appointed Africa as his official spokesperson, while Thulani would continue speaking for the royal family but not the king’s personal issues.
Prince Gibizizwe of Osuthu, a member of the coronation committee, said the king had to weigh in on the issue to avoid confusion between the two princes.
“The king formally told us that he wanted Prince Africa of Onkweni house to be his independent spokesperson, who is not attached to the government, like Prince Thulani.
“We all welcomed the clarification and we will support Prince Africa in his job as our king’s personal spokesperson,” said Prince Gobizizwe.
The Daily News understands the relationship between princes Thulani and Africa had not been good since Africa also started speaking for the king, the job Prince Thulani believed was his.
Our sister newspaper Isolezwe ngeSonto reported last month that the two princes were in a bitter fight for the position.
There were also accusations of backstabbing between them.
Africa said he was happy the issue has been resolved because it indeed created confusion.
Africa’s appointment was hailed by historian professor Jabulani Maphalala, who believed that by appointing Africa as his spokesperson, King Misuzulu wanted to revive and elevate Prince Shingana, who played a major role in the Zulu Kingdom during territorial wars with the British.
Prince Africa is the great-greatgrandson of Shingana who was a brother to King Cetshwayo.
Maphalala said it was a good move by the king because under his late father, King Zwelithini, Shingana was almost forgotten as a person who played a pivotal role in the defence of the kingship during the difficult period.
He said Shingana helped King Cetshwayo to assume the throne and was arrested with King Dinuzulu in St Helena.
The appointment came as Africa celebrates his 44th birthday today. Who is Prince Africa?
He was born and raised at Onkweni residence, the area between Ulundi and Danny Dalton.
Onkweni was the name of the Shingana residence.
After matriculating from Masibumbane High School Africa enrolled for a politics and psychology degree at the then University of Natal.
In 2003 he was part of the delegation that went to the USA to forge partnerships between New Orleans and Durban as cities.
He also travelled to eastern and western Europe to promote the Zulu culture.
In 2005 he starred on the BBC TV Undercover Princes reality show with famous royals from India and Sri Lanka.
In 2014 he delivered a keynote speech in Germany on the fall the Berlin Wall.
In 2018 he was appointed as adviser to the new Information, Communications and Technology Minister, Princess Sikhanyiso Dlamini, who is King Mswati’s eldest daughter, a position he vacated last year to work with King Misuzulu.
He is also working as an advocate for social cohesion in the Ministry of Arts and Culture.