King Misuzulu names Inkosi Zondi as Royal Chancellor of Zulu Kingdom
KING Misuzulu kaZwelithini talking with his newly-apponted Royal Chancellor Inkosi Malusi Zondi. Seated between them is the King's wife-to-be Princess Sihle Mdluli who has been by the King's side in many recent public engagements.
Image: Supplied
Zulu King Misuzulu kaZwelithini has promoted his senior overseer, Inkosi Malusi Zondi, to a Royal Chancellor.
Zondi, a well-known Durban-based businessman and president of the Black Business Forum, recently gifted outspoken content creator Ngizwe Mchunu with a brand-new SUV vehicle for his preservation of the Zulu culture.
Zondi's appointment was announced on Saturday during the official installation of Inkosi Mbuso Ngcobo in eMzinto, South Coast. The king said that Zondi has a new role in the Zulu kingdom and will strive to create good relations with other kingdoms.
Previously the Royal Chancellor position was occupied by businessman Sibongiseni Mbambo, the owner of the popular uMhlanga eatery, Mushroom Lounge. Mbambo was appointed in February this year but has recently not been seen at Zulu royal events.
“I wish to inform amakhosi (traditional leaders) about Zondi’s new role. Initially, I had appointed him as my ‘eye’; however, now I have decided to remove him from that position and make him a Royal Chancellor," said King Misuzulu.
Among Zondi’s responsibilities will be to forge business partnerships and economic initiatives to promote growth and community development in the Zulu kingdom.
He will also represent the monarch in diplomatic missions, locally and abroad, to strengthen relations with other monarchies, governments and global institutions.
Zondi will also act as a royal ambassador, serving as principal envoy to promote the kingdom’s interests, image and cultural heritage and those of the Zulu kingdom on international platforms.
The King also announced that he plans to install at least ten traditional leaders per year to strengthen and develop the nation.
Zondi was one of the speakers at the G20 Summit, where he spoke about the role of traditional leaders. King Misuzulu also attended a traditional imbizo of the Luthuli clan, organised by Inkosi Phathizwe Luthuli in eMgababa, South Coast.
The strong ties between the Zondis and the Zulu royal family date back to the early 1900s between Inkosi Bhambatha Zondi kaMancinza and King Dingane kaCetshwayo. The former led the uprising against British colonial rule, sparked by the unpopular poll tax in the then-Natal by colonial administrators, which exacerbated the economic situation of the Zulu nation. When the colonial government deposed Inkosi Bhambatha for his political activism, he sought refuge in King Dinuzulu's Usuthu Royal Palace.
SUNDAY TRIBUNE