U-turn as Zulu King reappoints Thulasizwe Buthelezi as Traditional Prime Minister
King Misuzulu kaZwelithini first announced Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi as his Traditional Prime Minister in January 2024 before making a u-turn on the decision. The king has reappointed Buthelezi to the position.
Image: Supplied
Almost a year after King Misuzulu kaZwelithini unceremoniously fired Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi as his Traditional Prime Minister, the king has reappointed him to the position.
Buthelezi, the current KwaZulu-Natal Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC in the IFP-led Government of Provincial Unity, was removed on 25 December, with the king not providing an explanation for the dismissal.
In a surprise move on Tuesday night, Buthelezi was sworn in again as Traditional Prime Minister at Mashobeni royal palace. In a statement issued before midnight, the king confirmed his appointment.
“I hereby appoint Reverend Thulasizwe D. Buthelezi to serve as the Traditional Prime Minister (Ndunankulu) of the Zulu Kingdom, with effect from 2 December 2025.”
“The purpose of this mandate is to provide executive leadership, structural coordination, and administrative oversight of the affairs of the Zulu Kingdom under the authority and direction of His Majesty the King,” read the statement.
The king emphasised that the Prime Minister shall serve as the chief executive authority of the Zulu Kingdom beneath the King and represent him in governmental, administrative, and developmental matters.
To support the Prime Minister, the king also for the first time in Zulu history formed a five member Prime Minister Executive Council which is made of Buthelezi as a chairperson, the Deputy Traditional Prime Minister, the King’s Representative to the House of Traditional Leaders, the Royal Chancellor and the Head of The Private Office of His Majesty The King.
These positions form the executive nucleus of governance under Misuzulu’s authority. The council will be responsible for approval of all initiatives, programmes, engagements, policies, and development plans before any implementation occurs.
It will also:
* Ensure that every action taken in the name of the Zulu Kingdom reflects the cultural, administrative, and developmental vision of His Majesty.
* Serve as the chief oversight body, ensuring proper minutes, resolutions, institutional compliance, and accurate reporting to His Majesty.
Buthelezi, was originally appointed by King Misuzulu in January 2024. He took over the position following the death of former IFP leader Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi, who died in September 2023 and had held the position of traditional prime minister for almost 70 years. Mangosuthu Buthelezi had worked with three different kings from 1954.