King Misuzulu kaZwelithini and his queen-to-be, Nomzamo Myeni, put on a united front during the 146th anniversary commemoration of the Battle of Isandlwana in Nquthu, KwaZulu-Natal, on Wednesday. The appearance marked their first public outing since reports surfaced claiming that King Misuzulu had called off his upcoming wedding to Myeni, a situation that has drawn much attention and speculation.
Earlier reports suggested that Misuzulu had not only canceled the wedding plans but also stripped Myeni of all privileges, including her security detail, following a series of personal and legal disputes. Despite these tensions, the couple attended the historic event together, raising questions about the future of their relationship and the much-discussed wedding scheduled for Sunday, 26 January. It remains unclear whether the wedding will go ahead as planned.
The drama surrounding the royal couple intensified on 20 January, when the Pietermaritzburg High Court dismissed an urgent application from Misuzulu’s first wife, Queen Ntokozo kaMayisela Zulu, to stop the king from marrying Myeni. Mayisela argued that it was unlawful for the king to marry another woman while still in a civil union with her, stating in her application, “I humbly submit that the respondent herein cannot enter into (a) a civil marriage and (b) a customary marriage whilst our civil marriage still subsists.”
This legal battle follows King Misuzulu’s recent filing for divorce from Mayisela, citing the breakdown of their marriage. In his court papers, the king offered to pay R20,000 a month in maintenance for one year after the divorce is finalized, marking what is believed to be the first divorce ever initiated by a Zulu king.
In addition to his first wife, King Misuzulu is also married to Queen Nozizwe Mulela kaMakhubu, who hails from the Kingdom of eSwatini.
Despite the personal and legal challenges swirling around the Zulu royal family, the public appearance of King Misuzulu and Nomzamo Myeni at the Isandlwana event suggests a determined effort to present a united front during a tumultuous period. The coming weeks will undoubtedly bring more clarity on the future of their relationship and the royal wedding plans.
