By Celani Sikhakhane
Prince Simakade kaZwelithini, fighting to remove King Misuzulu kaZwelithini from the throne, has once again claimed he is the rightful Zulu king.
This is evident from a statement on Monday about the upcoming Reed Dance at eNyokeni Royal Palace in Nongoma, KwaZulu-Natal.
Prince Mxolisi Gaylord kaBhekuzulu, speaking for Simakade, said “His Majesty King” Simakade Zondamagwala kaZwelithini was upset about his image being used to promote the Reed Dance without his permission.
His statement shocked some royal family members in WhatsApp groups.
The statement referred to a flyer that claimed to come from the provincial government and is suspected to be the work of those claiming the prince is the rightful king of the Zulus.
The flyers used Prince Simakade’s image and invited people to celebrate 40 years of the Reed Dance on Saturday.
Prince Simakade believes he’s the rightful heir because the late Queen Regent Mantfombi kaSobhuza Dlamini-Zulu adopted him in a traditional ceremony.
He took President Cyril Ramaphosa to the North Gauteng High Court, which said Ramaphosa didn’t follow the proper steps in recognising King Misuzulu as the rightful heir to the Zulu throne.
Ramaphosa appealed to the Supreme Court of Appeal, which has yet to rule.
Since then, some Zulu royals have opposed King Misuzulu and have called Simakade the king. His statements use the monarch’s logo.
When Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi, the king’s traditional prime minister, died, Simakade wanted to visit his kwaPhindangene home as the Zulu king but was told that Buthelezi had recognised only King Misuzulu.
Last year, Simakade tried to stop the Reed Dance and refused to leave the eNyokeni Royal Palace, so police had to remove him.
Pictured above: Prince Simakade kaZwelithini declares himself the rightful Zulu king.
Source: X
