The Biography of King Goodwill Zwelithini Ka Bhekuzulu

Biographical essay of King Goodwill Zwelithini ka Bhekuzulu

By: Mlungisi Zwelihle Gumede Introduction
This is the biographical essay of king Goodwill Zwelithini ka Cyprian Bhekuzulu. King Zwelithini became the 8th monarchy to lead Amazulu who were also refered as the Zulus, However Professor Sipho Hamilton Simelane had argued and said there are no people called the zulus and he refered to this term as the misconception. In this writtings therefore early life or childhood, Education and Family life, Career accomplishments including military service, Political career and late and late life etc will be discussed in this writtings. In this type of writtings it is important to write about a person's person life including his early life and his death, However in this death will not be discussed as a result of that king Goodwill is still alive.

Early life
Goodwill Zwelithini ka Cyprian Bhekuzulu was born on 14 july 1948 at kwa Nongoma in Kwazulu Natal. His father king Cyprina ka Solomon passed away in 1968, As there result therefore Prince Mcwayizeni ka Solomon acted as the regent while the king was taking refuge in ST Helena for almost 3 years to avoid assassination. Mcwayizeni became a regent from 1968 to 1971. On the 3rd of December 1971 Zwelithini was installed as the king of Amazulu at the traditional ceremony held at kw-Nongoma and it was estimated that 20 20 000 people attended this ceremony. Zwelithini became the first king that his leadership was prophesisied by one of the prophet leading one of the most dominating religions in South Africa (Nazareth-Amanazaretha).

It can be noted that each and every time when the king is refered to, it is always prefixed by "ka" and this is the zulu name which mean "Child of" for instance king Zwelithini ka Cyprian Bhekuzulu which mean Zwelithini was the son of Cyprian Bhekuzulu. According to the Zulu tradition ordinary elders are not refered or addressed by their surnames instead they are called by their clan name or praise name, for example the clan or ancestrial name of the Zulu Royal family id Ndaba or Mageba. Kings are called by their father's name, for instance ka means son of in place of surname Zulu.

The king is the head of the zulu nation and monarchy of the province of Natal now called kwa Zulu Natal of which is abbreviated K.Z.N. The origin of Amazulu, Shaka expanded and led this kingdom around 1700 and 1800. These people origimated in kwazulu Natal and spread throughout South Africa during 1830s and 1840s and this period became known as Mfecane or Difaqane. The year year 2019 marks the 8th years of king reign and 201 years of Shakas death. King Zwelithini had lived under dificult changing political and Social systems. Yet he succeeded in preserving the zulu culture, identity and language. The king has achieved a lot of things during his early life of his leadership andsome of them will be discussed fully as we continue.

EDUCATION AND FAMILY
King Goodwill Zwelithini ka Cyprian Bhekuzulu received his education at Bhekuzulu College of Chiefs then he privately tutured. He lived at his father's official residence at Khethomthandayo and received formal instruction in traditional zulu customs, in 1868 his father died and a regent was appointed to look after the administration of the royal affairs while Zwelithini completing his education.

Concerning the family life of king Goodwill Zwelithini ka Bhekuzulu, it is estimated that the king has about twenty seven (27) children and five wives. The head wife Madlamini became the first wife of the king; he married her on the 27th December 1969 at St Magarets Church at Kwa Nongoma. Lethukuthula was born in 1970 and Princess Nombuso was born in 1973, She is the owner of ilembe Catering Service which is based in Durban. Ntombizosuthu ka Zwelithini Duma who owns strategic persuation and Zamalwandle Transport Logistics with her husband, born in 1979. Married to Mbongiseni Duma at Johanesburg. Prince Ntandoyenkosi ka Zwelithini Ngcangweni and asset manager at public investment cooperation born in 1982 was also a daugher of Madlamini (headwife). Princess Sinethemba Bati Zulu is the last child of Madlamini born in 1989; she is currently pursuing degree in international relation at Witwatersrand University.

Another wife of king Goodwill Zwelithini is Buhle ka Mathe born 1951. Mathe and her daughter were wounded in an assault during which they were clubbed, stabbed, and shot. Zulu born in 1977, Pbumuzulu, his name was adopted from his grandfather king Phumuzuzulu ka Dinuzulu the son of king Cetshwayo. Prince Sihlobo Senkosi Zulu born 1988 and studied at kearsney college in Bothas hill Durban. King also married Mantfombi Dlamini born 1956, She is the daughter of king Sobhuza 2nd and a sister of Mswati 3rd married 1973 and she had eight children. Another wives of the king are Thandeka Jan Ndlovu, Nompumelelo Mchiza and Zola Zesuliwe Mafu who got married recently in the year 2014 she got only one child.

Political role
In 1975 Buthelezi accused Zwelithini of Meddeling into party politics. As a result the Kwazulu Natal government demanded that Zwelithini obtain cabinet approval to travel outside Nongoma Tribal Authority Area. In 1979 Buthelezi further accusseed zwelithini of Conspiring with the mozambiquean government and rejected the king's branding of the kwa zulu natal government as the puppet of South African government. He was further charged of trying to form a political party Inala, aimed at giving him power to appoint tha kwa Zulu Natal chief minister. In response to this allegation the kwa zulu natal issued a protocol guide which limited Zwelithini's constitutional role. He refused to address the kwa Zulu natal legislative assembly as was his norms and rumous of his unsettling abounded. Buthelezi's response was to cut the royal salary and an inquiry ws launched into allegations of misconduct.

In 1980 Zwelithini was forbidden to give interviews without the approval and the presence of Kwa Zulu Natal minister of justice. In the early 1980z violence and violence and vigilente activities began in kwazulu Natal as the result of the tention between Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) and united Democratic Front (UDF) supporters. The African National Congress (ANC) Oliver Tambo critisised the kwa zulu natal Government for inciting the violence. Zwelithini demanded an apology for his this; He did this in defiance at the constraints placed on his, which prevented him from commenting on political issues. The ANC wss particular upset with his opposition to international sanctions against apartheid. Zwelithini threw his lot with Buthelezi and put his lot weight with inkatha, calling on his followers to support the organisation and warming those who did not.

In 1989 he attacked the ANC leadership for not inviting him and Buthelezi to a rally welcoming back Revonia Trialists, who had been released after almost three decades of imprisonment. In 1991 he called for peace at May Day rally and accused ANC for fostering Anti-Zulu geelings. During the Convention for a Democratic South Africa (CODESA). Zwelithini's status became the point of bitter contention between Buthelezi and CODESA delegates, Buthelezi refused to attend CODESA two i  May 1992 in protest of the lack of clarity on future of Kings positions. In July 1992 Nelson Mandela assured Zwelithini that his status was assured under the new government. This created wider expectations of the dispensation inclusive of various ethnic monarchies of South Africa.

CULTURAL ROLE
King Goodwill Zwelithini ka Bhekuzulu is the chairman of the ingonyama trust. A cooperative entity established to administer the land traditional owned by the king for the benefit, material welfare and social well being of the zulu nation. This land consist of 32% of the area of kwa Zulu Natal. King Zwelithini as the custodian of the zulu tradition and and customs, has revived cultural functions such as the umhlanga. The colourful and symbolic reed dance which, amongst promotes emotional awareness and AIDS EDUCATION among Zulu nation and ukweshwama. The first fruit ceremony, which is traditionally function involving traditional rituals including the killing of bull. The latter ceremony was subject to lawsuit brought in November 2009 by Animal right Africa, Alleging that method of killing the animal was cruel and barbaric.

King travelled abroad extrndively to promote Tourism and Trade in the west for kw Zulu Natal and fundraise for zulu supported charities, often accompanied by one of his Queens consorts. On such occasions he is such frewuently official hosted by local zulu organisations, and grants audiance to zulu living abroad. In june 1994. University of Zululand granted him honorary doctrate in agriculture. He is the chancellor of the South African branch of the American bassed Newport university. In March 1999 cooker college of South Carolina awarded him honorary Doctorate in Law. During the first half of 2001 he was inagurated as the chancellor of ML Sultan technikon in Kwa Zulu Natal.

In 1984 the king took initiative to intitutionalise the custom of preserving virginity among Zulu maidens by ensuring that an anual event is celebrated by those maidens who adhere strictly to sexualabstention and thus remain vigirns unti they are married. In 2009 he re-introduced the custom of male circumcission among the zulu males. This custom had died during king Shaka's days who felt that he needed the men for his army and thus the custom was impending his ambtions. The king had remained the champion of the fight against HIV and AIDS through various campaigns. King had encouraged his subject to go back to land for survival. He is also the keen fsrmer and keeper of Nguni stud cattle and latterly the boran breed. The king atleast controls thirty percent of the provincial land in kwazulu natal where his people live. Another role of king Goodwill Zwelithini he played through Ingonyama Trust which will be discussed latter in this writings.

CONTROVERSY ABOUT THE KING
During the commemoration of 133rd anniversary of the battle of Isandlwana in January 2012, while the king was speaking he caused controversy with his statement that same sex relations were rotten. His statement was condemned by South African Human Right Commisions as well as LGBT rights group. President rebuked the king for his comments. The zulu Royal house latter said the king's comment had mistranslated and that he had not condemned same sex relations, only expressed concerned about a state of moral decay in South African that has led to widespread to sexual abuse, including male on male sexual abuse.

In September 2012 king Goodwill Zwelithini asked the kwa Zulu Natal Government for eighteen million for new property, including six million palace for his youngest Queen Mafu and upgrades to Queen Mamchilizi's Palace. The Royal household department CFO, Mduduzi Mthembu, told the parliamentary committee that the money was needed. The department also requested USD 1.4 million for improvement of Queen Machiliza's palace. The government had already budgected approximately USD 6.9 million for Royal family during 2012, not for the first time promoting accusation of lavish spending. In 2008 opposition parties criticised king Zwelithini's wife for spending around USD 24 000, on linen, designing clothes and expensive holidays.

Zwelithini acknowledged that while speaking at the Phongola meeting in march 2015 'while other nations had participated in effort which led to South African liberation that should not be considered an excuse for foreigners to cause inconvenience in the country now by competing with locals for scarce economic opportunities. Contending that he was free to say that politicians were not, he asked that foreigners please return to their native land, since he mantained, South African Nationals in Diaspora had not gone into open busimess into host countries. King Goodwill had been accused of buying Mercedes Benz for his wives while Majority of Kwa Zulu Natal People living under severe poverty.

The Ingonyama Trust

In 2009 the former kwa zulu natal minister Sbu Ndebele with millions of Rands pumped in to it for royal family's upkeep. The king once said he was not getting paid from the Royal House Trust. The king was accussed by other leaders and citizens of kwa Zulu Natal by living opulently and extravagance while others lived under poverty. King Zwelithini once mentioned that he does not know how the Royal Trust funds are distributed, however if the monies are misused people only accuse him. The Trust covers the cost of the Royal family and this includes transportation, tuitions and medical fees. In the year 2016 an additional five million on top of the Royal house's annual budget was injected with the aim of kick starting fundraising initiatives to prevent the Royal family soley to depending on Government funding.

It was said that the trust almost spend 650 thousands on the brand makeover for his majesty. Enlisting the help of US based consulting firm B&C international to handle the re-branding. Te aim of this was to identify and attract investments opportunities from abbroad that will strengthen the Royal family's economic standing. The ingonyama Trust owns around 3million hectares in Kwa Zulu Natal which is almost the third of land in the province. It was established through the negotiations between the previous government, led by the national party and the zulu traditional leaders, back in apartheid was in its las leg. This was an effort to secure land ownership. Between 1994 and 2005 the ingonyama trust did not paid tax. The ingonyama Trust also secure and protect the land of the Zulu speaking people, however the land is not distributed among all people in Kwa Zulu Natal.

Conclusion
In conclusion, the early life or childhood of king Zwelithini, Education and Family life of the king, political role, cultural role, controversy about Zwelithini and Ingonyama Trust are being discussed above in this article. However, not all information is included in this biography so there is Some omision od some information about king as the result therefore further reading is required and recommended.

BIBIOGRAPHY

https://www.thesouthafrican.com/goodwill-zwelithini-kabhekuzulu-whats-makes-him-a-zulu-king-and-what-does-he-earn/  (retrieved on 08/08/2018)

https://www.ingonyamatrust.org.za/his-majesty-the-king/ ( retrieved on 08/08/2018)

https://www.zuluculture.co.za/about-us/goodwill-zwelithini-king-of-the-zulu/   ( retrieved on 09/08/2018)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goodwill_zwelithini_kaBhekuzulu ( retrieved on 09/08/2018)

http://www.sahistory.org.za/people-king-goodwill-zwelithini/ retrieved on 10/08/2018)



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