Amid a messy divorce storm engulfing the Zulu Monarchy, King Misuzulu KaZwelithini has announced a date to marry his third wife, Queen Nomzamo Myeni of Jozini in northern KwaZulu-Natal.
The King, currently embroiled in a Pietermaritzburg High Court battle to divorce one of his wives, would be officially marrying Myeni (to conclude the marriage as they are already married and living together) towards the end of this month this year.
This would happen shortly after he had presided over the annual commemoration of the battle of Isandlwana to remember the historic victory of 22 January 1879 when the Zulu army defeated the British imperialist forces in Nquthu in the north of the province.
The marriage date was officially communicated on Tuesday, January 7, by Prince Simphiwe Zulu of KwaMinyamazi royal house in Nongoma. King Misuzulu’s right hand man also announced dates for the sacred Umkhosi Woselwa (the ceremony of the first fruit).
“We all know that last year the King started a process to establish a relationship with the Myenis by paying lobola and having ingqibamasondo ceremony. Now, on the 24th of this month, there will be umkhehlo ceremony at the home of the Myenis where our queen who will marry the king hails from.
“They will then skip the following day (25 January – Saturday) since we know the King and the Queen have chosen the Nazareth faith (Shembe) and then stage their traditional marriage (Umgcagco) on Sunday 26 January where everyone including Amakhosi, royal family members are invited to witness the marriage,” Prince Simphiwe announced on behalf of the King who is currently in seclusion.
Breaking away from established protocol, the Zulu Monarch has decided that this year’s commemoration of the battle of Isandlwana be staged on the exact date of the battle. In the past if the day fell during the week, the day would be commemorated on the nearest weekend.
“The King said he does not like the idea of having these important commemorations on days which do not fall on the exact days. We will know that the date of January 22 is the exact day when Zulus fought with the British.
“The King asked that the date should not be changed even if it is during the middle of the week, as long as the commemoration is held on 22 January. He prays that we should all gather at Isandlwana on that day,” Prince Simphiwe said.
The first fruit ceremony will be held at Mashobeni royal palace in Ulundi, starting on January 11 and running until the last day of ceremony on 16 January. It will be preceded by the killing of the sacred bull with bare hands by Zulu regiments shortly before the full moon is sighted.
The Prince is currently performing these duties as King Misuzulu recently fired his traditional prime minister, Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi, whose role is to make these announcements.
