King Misuzulu under fire over remarks about foreign nationals

Cultural expert, Professor Musa Xulu, has described King Misuzulu kaZwelithini’s use of a derogatory term to refer to foreign nationals as inappropriate and deeply unfortunate.

The AmaZulu king has come under fire following remarks he made during the Isandlwana battle commemoration over the weekend. While addressing attendees, King Misuzulu called for dialogue to prevent a repeat of the xenophobic violence, which engulfed KwaZulu-Natal in 2008 and 2014.

It is estimated that at least 62 people were killed during the 2008 xenophobic attacks.

South African Zulu King Misuzulu kaZwelithini says Zulu people should not fight immigrants in his nation, although everyone has a home and must go back to where they came from.
This was mainly targeted at Mozambicans, Nigerians and Zimbabweans who number millions in South Africa,… pic.twitter.com/vKEmpI3b9U

— TheNewsHawks (@NewsHawksLive) January 23, 2026

Tensions between locals and foreign nationals have once again intensified in recent weeks. This includes the ongoing school placement dispute at Addington Primary School, where lobby group March and March accused the Department of Basic Education of prioritising foreigners over South African learners.

The group further alleged that the school enrolled more than 600 foreign learners – a claim strongly denied by the Department.

WATCH: The situation remains tense outside Addington Primary School in Durban.
ANC’s Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo got a hostile reception from South Africans who accused him and his party of selling out and prioritizing illegal immigrants – KZN Tonight Podcast pic.twitter.com/UuIikhFYQk

— Sihle Mavuso (@ZANewsFlash) January 21, 2026

While Professor Xulu agrees that the king was right to call for dialogue, he believes the monarch should refrain from making impromptu remarks on sensitive national issues. Instead, he says, the Misuzulu should rely on carefully prepared written speeches to avoid misinterpretation and harm.

Xulu also emphasised the historical links between Zulu people and foreign nationals, noting that many migrants from neighbouring countries are descendants of those who fled during the reign of King Shaka and still maintain family ties in KwaZulu-Natal. Given these historical links and international law, Xulu says it is neither realistic nor lawful to attempt to violently force immigrants out of South Africa.

He added that the use of street-level and offensive language has helped fuel anger, potentially contributing to the current attacks, which he says are now being unfairly directed at Zulu people as a whole – particularly on social media.

Meanwhile, some critics have gone further by questioning King Misuzulu’s lineage, pointing out that he and his siblings are the children of an immigrant, as their mother, the late Queen Mantfombi Dlamini, hailed from Eswatini.

Wait… King Misuzulu calling people “amakwerekwere” is wild. His late mother, Queen Mantfombi, was a Swazi Princess. His uncles are the Swazi Royalty in Eswatini. By his own logic, isn’t he also a product of the very “foreigners” he’s talking about?
pic.twitter.com/aN2yKVbknF

— Andile Gogoda (@AfricaisBlack) January 24, 2026

King Misuzulu calling foreigners “amakwerekwere” offended me deeply. This is not a show of leadership at all. Surely there are way to preserve Zulu culture and heritage without making others feel less than human beings or calling them derogatory terms. I’m expecting much…

— Jurist (@jurist_luthuli) January 25, 2026

When uMisuZulu calls people amakwerekwere… is he including his late mom & maternal side of the family… or is he talking about a certain group of foreigners?

Especially when he seems to poke at SAn women sleeping with & having kids with “amakwelekwele”?

Plz school me 🙏🏽

— Penuel The Black Pen (@GodPenuel) January 25, 2026