Goodwill Zwelethini kaBhekuzulu
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Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu (b. 14 July 1948 at Nongoma) is the current (2004) king of the Zulu nation.
He became king on the death of his father king Cyprian Bhekuzulu kaSolomon in 1968. Prince Israel Mcwayizeni KaSolomon acted as the regent 1968-1971 while the prince was in exile in St. Helena for three years fearing the distinct danger of assassination. After his 21st birthday and his marriage, Zwelithini was installed as the eighth Monarch of the Zulus at a traditional ceremony at Nongoma on 3 December 1971, attended by 20000 people. The country’s constitution made the King’s role ceremonial and subject to the authority of the Chief Minister, Mangosuthu Buthelezi. Zwelithini’s finances are controlled by KwaZulu-Natal Provincial authorities.
In 1989 he attacked the ANC leadership for not inviting himself and Buthelezi to a rally welcoming back the Rivonia trialists, who had been released after almost three decades of imprisonment.
As a constitutional monarch of the Kingdom of KwaZulu-Natal, he is the head of the Ubukhosi (Monarchy), the institution of Traditional Leadership. His leadership role also entails his being chairman of the Usuthu Tribal Authority and Nongoma Regional Authority, both established under the provisions of the KwaZulu Amakhosi and Iziphakanyiswa Act.
As the custodian of Zulu traditions and customs, he has revived cultural functions such as the Umhlanga, the colourful and symbolic reed dance ceremony which, amongst other things, promotes moral awareness and AIDS education among Zulu women, and the Ukweshwama, the first fruits ceremony, which is a traditional function involving certain traditional rituals.
In June, 1994, the University of Zululand honoured him with a honourary doctorate in agriculture. He is Chancellor of the South African branch of the American-based Newport University. In March 1999 Cocker College of South Carolina, USA awarded the King with an honourary doctorate in law. During the first half of 2001 he was inaugurated as Chancellor of the M L Sultan Technikon in KwaZulu-Natal.
The King's authorized biography, "King of Goodwill" was published in 2003. The musical dramatization of this work will premiere at The Market Theatre, Johannesburg on 16 March, 2005.
Marriages
- 27th December 1969 at St Margaret's Church, Nongoma, HM Queen maDlamini (Sibongile Winifred Dlamini)
- Queen Buthle MaMathe, born c1951 - (see (Talk:)
- 1973 Queen Mantfombi Dlamini, born 1956, daughter of HM King Sobhuza II of Swaziland, sister of present monarch HM King Mswati III of Swaziland. A condition for this marriage is that she become the First Wife - which has significance for the kings succession.
- Thandikela Jane Ndlovu (Queen Thandi)
- 25th July 1992, Nompumelelo Mchiza
- In 2004, the king took a 17 year old Swazi girl as his sixth wife
Children
27 children (as of 2003), including:
- Prince Lethukuthula Zulu (by Queen MaDlamini), born 1970.
- Princess Sibusile Zulu (by Queen Buhle MaMathe), born 1972.
- Prince Shlobosenkosi Zulu (by Queen Buhle MaMathe)
- Prince Misuzulu Zulu (by Queen Mantfombi), born 23rd September 1974 in Kwahlabisa, KwaZulu-Natal, he is currently pursuing a Degree in Business Administration in Florida, USA, and is a strong candidate for Zwelethini's successor.
- Princess Ntandoyesizwe Zulu (by Queen Mantfombi), born 1976, married 13th April 2002 at Enyokeni Royal Palace, Nongoma, to Kgosi Oupa Moilwa, Chief of the baHurusthe bagaMoilwa. Civil ceremony July 11th, 2004 in Pongola.
- Princess Nandi Zulu (by Queen Buhle MaMathe), born 1977, married (civil) 6th December 2002 in St John's Anglican Cathedral in Umtata and (traditional) 7th December at the Thembu Great Place near Qunu, to Chief Mfundo Bovulengwa Mtirara, born 25th March 1973, Acting Deputy Paramount Chief of the Thembu from 2000, Chief of the Matye'ngqina Traditional Authority Area.
External Links
- Official page from KwaZulu-Natal Government (http://www.kwazulunatal.gov.za/royal_household/)
- Tourism site describing the Reed dance ceremony (http://eshowe.com/article/articlestatic/24/1/13/)
- Website featuring the Royal House, the biography, the musical and the King's sphere of activities (http://www.kinggoodwill.co.za)