AmaZulu King Misuzulu kaZwelithini has apologised to Shembe Church leader,Prophet Mduduzi Shembe.
Rajesh Jantilal/AFP
AmaZulu King Misuzulu kaZwelithini has apologised to Shembe Church leader,Prophet Mduduzi Shembe,after calling him “a fool” in a leaked video tirade.Shembe urged his 10 million followers to forgive the king,attributing the insult to drunkenness,and reaffirmed his loyalty to the Zulu throne.A separate leaked video showed the king mocking his late father’s legacy and declaring himself the “first king” recognised by the courts.AmaZulu King Misuzulu kaZwelithini and the leader of the Nazareth Baptist (Shembe) Church,also known as Unyazi Lwezulu,have reconciled after a public fallout sparked by the king’s leaked tirade against his second wife.
The king dispatched a delegation over the weekend to apologise after he called Shembe “a fool” three times during an expletive-laden argument with Queen Nomzamo Myeni,footage of which surfaced online.
In a statement on Sunday,the king’s office said Shembe had reaffirmed his unwavering loyalty to the Zulu throne and the Zulu nation during the meeting.
The delegation,comprising Prince Zuzifa Buthelezi (chairperson of the king’s council),the king’s spokesperson Prince Mpikayise Buthelezi,and AmaZulu traditional prime minister Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi,presented cattle to the Shembe leadership as a gesture of goodwill and respect on behalf of the king.
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The office described the engagements between the two parties as cordial.
In a statement,the king’s office said:
During the meeting,Unyazi Lwezulu reaffirmed that His Majesty King Misuzulu kaZwelithini remains his King,describing recent misunderstandings as a family matter that has now been resolved.
“He further reaffirmed his unwavering loyalty to the Zulu Throne and the Zulu Nation and expressed his appreciation for the humility,respect and sincerity demonstrated by the Royal Family delegation throughout the engagement.”
The king’s office said the presentation of cattle symbolised reconciliation,mutual respect,and the enduring relationship between the Zulu throne and the Shembe community.
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“His Majesty welcomes the positive outcome of the engagement and reaffirms that dialogue,mutual respect and family unity remain the enduring values upon which the Zulu Kingdom continues to strengthen its relationships with traditional leaders,faith-based communities and all people.”
The office added that the Zulu kingdom remained committed to promoting reconciliation,social cohesion and nation-building in the interests of present and future generations.
READ | AmaZulu King’s inebriated rant against queen lays bare a fractured Zulu monarchy
The reconciliation comes after a video was leaked last week in which the king,appearing intoxicated and holding a Stella Artois beer bottle,lashes out at Queen Myeni in an expletive-laden rant.
In the footage,he accuses her of infidelity,insults her in obscene terms,orders her to the eMachobeni Palace,threatens her with lifelong misfortune,brags about a girlfriend,and vows to cut off her financial support.
Beyond the domestic dispute,the video also reveals a king publicly disparaging figures of significant cultural authority.
He calls Shembe,whose church commands a following of roughly 10 million people,“a fool”,and accuses him of harbouring a man he claims is courting the queen.
Cultural expert Musa Xulu told News24 that the incident was particularly damaging to the king’s standing.
King Misuzulu has aligned himself with the Shembe Church,a departure from his late father King Goodwill Zwelithini’s allegiance to the Anglican Church. The Shembe Church closely follows Zulu customs and traditions.
READ | AmaZulu king provided ‘vital shield against lawlessness’ on 30 June,says ANC
Another video that surfaced earlier last week revealed the king’s apparent contempt for his father’s legacy.
According to a leaked audio that surfaced over the weekend,Shembe was heard urging the church to forgive the king.
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Shembe said:
Don’t keep insisting on this thing [the incident],because the king had been drinking. It is when he was drinking that he expressed himself and offended the Nazareth [church]. But he had been drinking.
“How much more is it when you insult me while you are sober? I forgive the king,just like how I forgive you.”
The congregation is heard responding in unison: “Amen! You are worthy!”
On Monday,a spokesperson for the Shembe Church,Thokozani Mncwabe,confirmed that the king had been forgiven.
“Everything went well. Unyazi lingumthetheleli wezoni (He forgives all sinners),” said Mncwabe.
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