Misuzulu kaZwelithini, king of the Zulu people, South Africa’s largest ethnic group, has reinstated Inkosi Malusi Zondi and Prince Africa of Onkweni as royal chancellor and vice chancellor, respectively, reversing their dismissal announced by former Traditional Prime Minister Rev. Thulasizwe Buthelezi.
The reinstatement, which was announced on Friday, signaled the undoing of all decisions that were announced by Buthelezi and former royal spokesperson Prince Thulani Zulu. King’s spokesperson, Mpikayise Buthelezi, stated that despite the announcement both inkosi Zondi and Prince Africa will not immediately resume duties as their appointment awaits the king’s final approval.
“As directed by His Majesty, the King of Zulu nation, I wish to announce that inkosi Malusi Zondi and His Royal Highness Prince Africa Zulu of Onkweni royal residence have returned to their positions as both Chancellor and Vice Chancellor respectively. The two are directed to carry on with their responsibilities that were previously assigned to them by His Majesty, the King,” said Buthelezi.
The announcement comes after the dismissal of Buthelezi and Prince Thulani and the appointment of inkosi Phathisizwe Chiliza and Mpikayise Buthelezi as Traditional Prime Minister and spokesperson respectively.
In May, Buthelezi shocked the Zulu nation when he issued a statement announcing the closure of the King’s Private Office and the dismissal of the King’s Private Secretary Arnold Ndamase, inkosi Zondi and Prince Africa.
The announcement drew outrage and uncertainty as it was publicly disputed by both inkosi Zondi and Prince Africa who said that the King was the one who appointed them, but had not informed them of their removal. The moves raised questions about whether the King had sanctioned those decisions. However, two weeks later, the King announced that Ndamase was never removed from the office. The King then announced the removal of Buthelezi and Prince Thulani.
In welcoming the announcement, Prince Africa said there was never any instruction from the King to remove them from the office in the first place. He said it was the decision of the individuals who thought they were above the King and the Zulu crown, and the latest announcement was not necessarily their reinstatement, rather a correction of a wrong announcement made by the former Traditional Prime Minister and former spokesperson.
“Inkosi Zondi and I always maintained that since we were directly appointed by His Majesty, it would be the King himself that would inform us about any changes to our positions, not the Traditional Prime Minister.“