Reverend Thulasizwe D. Buthelezi takes on role as Traditional Prime Minister of the Zulu Kingdom

The Zulu Royal House has appointed the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Reverend Thulasizwe D. Buthelezi as the Traditional Prime Minister (uNdunankulu), effective from 2 December 2025. 

The formal appointment took place at The Private Office of The King MisuZulu (Imbube Lodge) in Pongola, and it was said to mark a critical moment in the governance of the Zulu nation.

The swearing-in ceremony was attended by members of the Zulu Royal Family, including Her Majesty Queen Sihle Mdhluli kaMawewe, alongside representatives from the Eswatini Royal Family, Amakhosi, and senior officials from the royal household.

The oath, administered by the Royal Chaplain, Canon H. Mbatha, underscored the importance of this new appointment within the Kingdom’s hierarchy.

King MisuZulu articulated the role of the Traditional Prime Minister through a mandate that aimed to provide essential executive leadership, structural coordination, and administrative oversight of the Kingdom's affairs. 

“I… hereby appoint Reverend Thulasizwe D. Buthelezi to serve as the Traditional Prime Minister of the Zulu Kingdom,” stated MisuZulu.

According to a media statement, the Prime Minister’s mandate is to act as the chief executive authority beneath the King, representing His Majesty in crucial governmental, administrative, and developmental matters.

Central to Reverend Buthelezi’s appointment is the establishment of the Prime Minister’s Executive Council (PMEC), a governance body conceived to enhance coordination, accountability, and strategic direction within the Zulu Kingdom. 

Defined as “the highest decision-making body of the Zulu Kingdom, reporting directly to His Majesty the King,” the PMEC consists of five key offices:

• The Traditional Prime Minister – Chairperson
• The Deputy Traditional Prime Minister
• The King’s Representative to the House of Traditional Leaders
• The Royal Chancellor
• The Head of The Private Office of His Majesty The King – Secretariat

The structure’s aim is to form the executive nucleus of governance under His Majesty’s authority, ensuring that all initiatives, programmes, engagements, policies, and development plans receive prior approval from the PMEC before any implementation.

The PMEC was tasked with significant responsibilities to fortify the governance framework of the Zulu Kingdom:

• To ensure each action taken in the name of the Kingdom aligns with His Majesty’s cultural, administrative, and developmental vision.
• To serve as the chief oversight body, ensuring proper documentation and adherence to royal directives.
• To foster central coordination across various government departments and traditional councils.
• To modernise governance aligned with the King’s vision while preserving Zulu customs and traditions.

All decisions made by the PMEC will be subject to His Majesty’s final authority, establishing that the Monarchy remained the ultimate custodian of governance and direction.

During the oath-taking ceremony, Reverend Buthelezi expressed his dedication to this new role, pledging,

 “I swear to uphold, protect, and honour the authority of His Majesty King Misuzulu kaZwelithini, and to serve the Zulu Kingdom with integrity, loyalty, and impartiality, " said Buthelezi.

This commitment

signifies not only a promise to the royal family but also to the people of the Zulu Kingdom.

The appointment of Reverend Buthelezi and the formation of the PMEC herald a new era for the Zulu Kingdom, reinforcing its administrative architecture and executive governance. 

King MisuZulu expressed unwavering confidence in Reverend Buthelezi's ability to advance the Kingdom’s cultural and developmental agenda with honour and discipline, ensuring a unified strategic leadership for the Zulu people.

As South Africa and the world watch, this pivotal appointment serves as a testament to the enduring legacy of the Zulu monarchy and its commitment to providing contemporary governance while firmly rooting itself within its rich heritage.

DAILY NEWS