Royalty of South Africa


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Princess Bukhosibemvelo, some time before her marriage, preparing for the reed dance.

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Picture of some of the Zulu Queens at Princess Bukhosibemvelo's wedding

Picture 616 « Princess Bukhosibemvelo Zibuyile and Sipho Nyawo – Weddings and engagements

From Left to right, Queen Mantfombi (the senior wife who bears the successor, daughter of King Shobuza II of swaziland), Queen Thandeka (known as Queen Thandi), Queen Nompumelelo, and the youngest and newst queen, Queen Zola.
 
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Hello Lox,

South Africans are very proud of our heritage. There are white people or non-Zulus who even dress in traditional Zulu/African attire during special occasions. The Kings and Chiefs are custodians of culture and traditional law.

Each person belongs to a clan or nation (tribe) to which they pledge their allegiance. It is not necessary for non-Zulus to do this to the Zulu king, however, showing respect for elders and people in authority is advisable. He is not the Kng of South Africa, but the King of the Zulu nation/tribe. Their role is ceremonial, for example, king Zwelethini recently read a speech at the opening of the legislature of the KwaZulu-Natal province, though he does not have authority to pass or abolish laws. A couple of years ago, the King reinstated circumcision for boys which was outlaws by King Shaka in order to help curb HIV infections; many have heeded his call. Other monarchs are less public than Zwelethini out of choice, like Kgosi Leruo Moletlegi of the Bafokeng Nation. The Ndebele King, as a leader of the Ndebele nation and a custodian of their culture, urged schools in Ndebele speaking areas to teach the language at schools which some schools have subsequently done with the support of the Department of Education.

Zulus are the subjects of King Zwelethini. South Africa is a republic with many people, including black people, who do not believe in monarchies. They are not forced to pay allegiance to the king, follow his decrees, or perform cultural practices like the annual Reed Dance. It is a personal matter, just like religion.


Lox said:
I've read about certain republics like Uganda, South Africa etc where tribal monarchies still persist, with a dynasty that retains a court and often local prestige and influence; some are officially installed with the consent of the official government.

Can someone please explain to me, without linking to Wikipedia, how such a system works? Does the king of Zululand have any significance to a white person in South Africa or a black person from another tribe?

If you are a member of the Zulu tribe and you don't like the concept of a monarchy, do you have to pay respect to the Zulu king anyway? Does these types of kings have any real "subjects"?
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mum said:
The more wives they have, the merrier and of course lots and lots of children!! The Zulutribe believes in polygamy and that is why our President Zuma is already married to 3 women and engaged to another women as well. They also believe (like other tribes in South Africa) to have children before they get married. The Zulu 'Kingdom' originated from Tshaka, a Zulu warrior that was also a very brutal man (even to his own people). I'm sorry, but I will never look upon them the same way as Royals from other countries. You must also remember that we as taxpayers must help provide for them!
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Hi mum,

I've responded to your comment in part here http://www.theroyalforums.com/forums/f186/royalty-of-south-africa-7274-5.html#post1372761

I just want to add that polygamy was not the norm for 'commoners'. Usually only chiefs and kings practiced polygamy in order to build relations with other tribes and clans and it was very rare for non-Royals to engage in polygamy and they would do so if they were wealthy as each wife has to be provided her own home and food, etc. These women get into polygamy voluntarily also, so while we may not agree with it, you have to respect that they have the freedom to choose this lifestyle.
 
Zulu royal protocol

If you ever find yourself in the presence of HM King Goodwill Zwelithini, this is how you should conduct yourself

ARRIVAL

On arrival His Majesty is met at the door by the main host, accompanied by one or two people.
People welcoming His Majesty do not extend their hands for a handshake, but His Majesty does.
His Majesty is not touched or hugged.

By the time His Majesty and his entourage are escorted to the hall, everybody should be seated.

The Praise Singer announces the entry of His Majesty, his entourage, and the hosts. His Majesty walks in front flanked by his host and security.
The Praise Singer walks about 1 metre ahead of the King.

Everybody stands up when His Majesty enters the venue. After His Majesty has taken his seat, all females take their seats. Men remain standing until the Praise Singer hails the King.

His Majesty, the King is the last (except in the presence of the State President) to be ushered into the venue and first to leave. This therefore, necessitate for the provision of a holding area to allow fir the smooth observing of this protocol, especially if a meal is involved after the function.

People do not walk about when the Praise Singer recites.
SEATING

If invited His Majesty sits on the right hand of the host.
If His Majesty is traveling with a Queen, she sits next to him on his right.
ADDRESSING THE KING

His majesty the King is addressed as, HIS MAJESTY THE KING, HIS MAJESTY, ISILO, INGONYAMA, HLANGALOMHLABATHI, ISILO SAMABANDLA.
It is not allowed to refer to His Majesty the King by his first names.
His Royal Highness is used commonly to refer to the Queens, and other members of the Royal Family.
HAIL THE KING

The sequence of hailing the King is:-

WENA WENDLOVU!
WENA WENDLOVU!
BAYEDE!

The Praise Singer will lead the sequence.
The Audience follows the same sequence.
It is not necessary for every speaker to hail the King in this same sequence; they may simply address him as HIS MAJESTY or in one of the following terms HIS MAJESTY THE KING, ISILO, INGONYAMA, HLANGALOMHLABATHI, ISILO SAMABANDLA.
The Queens are addressed as HER ROYAL HIGHNESS or NDLUNKULU.
The Kings’ wives are addressed as the Queens or in zulu NDLUNKULU NOT WIFE.
The Praise Singer is referred to as INYOSI not IMBONGI, this is in respect of one of the Kings’ first names.
DECORATION / DRAPING

Black cloth is not allowed.
Royal colours are Royal Blue and Royal Maroon.
People sitting closer to the King are not allowed to sit with their backs to His Majesty.
THE KINGS’ ADDRESS

His Majesty is invited by a special selected person to the podium after having briefly presented.
The King speaks towards the end of the programme. No one speaks after His Majesty has spoken, except the one who gives a vote of thanks or makes announcements, with some exceptions as demanded by circumstances.
EATING

No cameras while King is eating.
It is not allowed to disturb the King while breaking bread.
Up and down movements from the Kings’ table while the King is seated is not allowed.
Those breaking bread with the King do not leave the room/hall until his Majesty leaves.
GENERAL CONTACT

His Majesty is not touched or hugged.
The seats next to His Majesty must always be occupied. If the host goes to the podium the next person must go and sit nearest to the King.
His Majesty may not be asked any questions about his children or queens.
INTERVIEWS

It is not generally allowed to conduct interviews with the King.
His address will be made available to members of the media who may not be able to record His Majesty while addressing the audience.

The host will communicate changes and amendments to the programme/procedure only to the designated official, not to His Majesty the King directly.

From the King's website, Royal Zulu Monarch
 
Hereditary Mapmaker said:
Hi, Royalist0007. I believe there is an official site but I don't have the info... will try to find and send again unless someone else comes up with it.

Here's what I know of Bafokeng so far. It is a small area but important because of platinum mines within its territory. There is a royal family with a relatively young king, or kgosi, who acceded to the thrown in 2000, upon the death of his older brother. HM Kgosi Leruo Tshekedi Molotlegi was born in 1968 and has a degree in architecture and urban planning from Natal University in South Africa and is also a pilot. As far as I know he is still single, but has another brother and two sisters.

Wish I had more info for you. If I can find out more or provide other links I'll let you know.

Mapper
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The official website is at: Welcome to the RBN | Royal Bafokeng Nation

The Queen Mother of the current Kgosi is: Dr HM Queen Semane B Molotlegi. I have a few pics available and know HM personally. The Bafokeng Royal Family is arguable the richest royal family in South Africa due to their holdings in mining houses such as Impala Platinum and Anglo through a joint venture at Rasimone Mine near Boshoek (Rustenburg).

Hope this helps.
 
As it hasn't been acknowledged here, I think it appropriate to mention the sad death of Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, a scion of the Thembu Royal Family and thus a royal, himself.

Mandela was one of the towering giants of C20 and brought honour and dignity to all humankind.

Deepest commiserations to his family, his friends and his nation. He was a good man and an even greater soul. RIP.
 
Yet South Africa remains a Republic which holds legal authority over the small South African Kingdoms.
 
Funeral of King Victor Thulare III of Bepadi, under the Republic of South Africa who died from COVID-19 on 6 January 2021 at the age of 40. The service was attended by President Cyril Ramaphosa and many South African royal families in Sekhukhune District, Limpopo Province, South Africa.


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