Zulu King Miszulu Kazwelithini arrives at the Union Buildings in Pretoria ahead of the inauguration of Cyril Ramaphosa as President of South Africa on June 19, 2024 (Photo by PHILL MAGakoe/POOL/AFP)
Zulu King Misrul Kazwelithini's announcement that he is divorcing his wife has sparked widespread debate about the intersection of traditional customs and modern law.
Ms Miszur applied for divorce at the Pietermaritzburg High Court, citing irretrievable breakdown of the marriage.
The name of the king's wife has not been released to protect the identity of the couple's children.
The king said in court documents: The parties have not lived together as husband and wife for at least one consecutive year immediately preceding the date of commencement of the action. ”
Cultural experts said Mr Misizulu's divorce was unusual but not unheard of in the Zulu royal family.
However, Professor Gugu Mazibuko from the University of Johannesburg told the SABC that traditional Zulu custom had historically not allowed divorce.
“There was no divorce among the AmaZulu people. If you were to marry a wife, you would have a wife. Families would come together to resolve disputes and ensure the safety of children on the farm,” she said. said.
Societal and legal changes, as well as the widespread influence of social media, are making personal solutions more difficult.
“Times have changed and laws have evolved,” Mazibuko said. “In the past, divorces were handled privately within the royal family to protect the image of the royal family and ensure the well-being of their children. Today, everything is in the public eye.”
Professor Moussa Xulu, a prominent cultural expert, said the divorce highlighted the tension between civil and customary marriages.
“This marriage between the king and his now divorced wife was not consummated through traditional ceremonies. It remains more or less a civil marriage,” he explained.
Shulu added that the king's next marriage, reportedly scheduled for February, is expected to follow traditional Zulu wedding procedures.
The divorce raises questions about succession to the throne.
Shrue said any children born from the marriage would maintain their place in the royal family. The boy born from this marriage will not lose his status as a prince. This makes the selection and decisions of future advisors even more important by the king.
Mr Mazibuko said it was important that cultural customs at royal marriages were respected.
Miszulu paid lobola and completed some pre-wedding rituals for his wives, but she said none of them went through the final stages of a traditional Zulu royal wedding. .
royal tensions
The divorce comes amid ongoing tensions in the royal family as Mr Miszur continues to face opposition from factions within the royal family who challenge his legitimacy.
The recent sacking of Thulasizwe Buthelezi as Zulu prime minister has added to the anxiety.
“The situation in the Zulu royal family is not calm. The dispute over Misulu's succession to the throne continues in the courts,” Xulu said, referring to divisions between factions such as the Usuthu and Kwaminya factions.
Royal divorce is not unique to the Zulu monarchy. Monarchs such as King Charles III, Princess Anne and Prince Albert of Monaco have also experienced public divorces.
Shull said Mistle's leadership is still developing. “He has not yet begun his reign. Only time will tell whether he can establish himself as a strong leader like his father, King Goodwill Zwelithini.”
Mazibuko said the king must carefully balance his traditional leadership role with the legal framework of a modern constitutional democracy.
“The King's divorce reveals the complexity of balancing tradition, modernity and public life. This reflects the challenges faced by ordinary people despite the royal family's exalted status. It reminds us that we are not immune.” Additional reporting by Itumeleng Mafisa.
This article was first published by witness.
