AmaZulu King’s choice of wife raises concern among traditionalists

Cultural expert, Professor Musa Xulu, says he foresees AmaZulu King Misuzulu kaZwelithini’s decision to marry a woman, who already has children, as a move that will raise the ire of traditionalists.

Professor Xulu says the King, as a custodian of the isiZulu culture, cannot make decisions like an ordinary man would.

The scholar says while there is nothing wrong with raising another woman’s children, it’s taboo for the leader of the culture to do that.

The cultural expert’s remarks come amid unhappiness from some quarters over King MisuZulu’s decision to tie the knot with a woman who has two children from another man.

The 50-year-old amaZulu monarch is set to formally marry the mother of two, Queen Nomzamo Myeni, on the 26th of this month. He has already paid 15 cows for amalobola (dowry).

Myeni, who is from the eMachobeni Royal Palace, will become his third wife.

Professor Xulu says what the king plans to do has never been done before in the royal household, hence the unhappiness from some.

However, it remains to be seen whether the historic two-day traditional wedding will go ahead as planned after the King’s estranged wife, Queen Ntokozo kaMayisela, launched a legal bid to interdict it.

She filed the papers in the high court in Pietermaritzburg today.

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The custodian of the amaZulu culture and tradition will become the first King in over 200 years of his dynasty’s history to go through a divorce.