Zulu King Misuzulu’s new right-hand man sworn in
Inkosi Bhekitinta Zulu of the Mandlakazi royal house has described the appointment of Prince Sylope Gumbela Zulu to be King Misizulu’s representative in government and houses of traditional leaders, as an elevation of the forgotten Mandlakazi house.
Prince Sylope Gumbela Zulu was sworn-in by the deputy Judge President of KwaZulu-Natal Phillip Nkosi in Durban on Wednesday.
Speaking to the media after the prince’s swearing in as the new King’s representative , Inkosi Bhekitinta Zulu, who is Prince Nkosinathi’s brother, hailed King Misuzulu’s decision, describing it as an elevation of the forgotten house of his royal house. Inkosi Bhekitinta said his house, which once played a central role in the Zulu kingdom, had been forgotten and neglected for years because of disinformation which created bad blood between it and the reigning kings.
Inkosi Bhekitinta accused historians of distorting history about their forefathers which cast doubt on whether they were legitimate members of the royal family.
“With this elevation of our forgotten and neglected house of Mandlakazi, His Majesty is dismissing the disinformation about us. We wish to thank the king for recognising our forgotten house,” said Inkosi Bhekitinta.
For his position, Prince Sylope Gumbela will be the King’s eyes and ears in the national and provincial houses of traditional leaders. He will also represent the King in the provincial Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs as well as in the Premier’s office.
Prince Nkosinathi has been officially appointed to replace Prince Simphiwe Zulu who was fired by the king for dereliction of duty.
The Mandlakazi house has not been recognised by the royal family for many years because of Prince Sojiyisa who was believed to be an illegitimate child. Prince Nkosinathi and Inkosi Bhekitinta are direct descendants of Sojiyisa.
Zulu historians say when King Jama married a woman from the Thonga tribe in the north-east of KwaZulu-Natal, she was already pregnant from her previous relationship. The woman gave birth to Sojiyisa, who as the first born son of King Jama was the heir to the throne.
Seeing that the throne would go to the ‘illegitimate child’, King Jama’s daughter from his wife Mkabayi sought out Mthaniya Sibiya to marry the king. Mthaniya gave birth to King Senzangakhona and Mkabayi ensured that he, and not Sojiyisa, became the king of the Zulus.
Zulu historian Professor Jabulani Maphalala insisted that the Mandlakazi house is not a royal house as Sojiyisa was an illegitimate child.
“This is undisputed history and no one will erase it,” said Maphalala.
Willem.phungula@inl.co.za