South Africans divided as King Misuzulu goes viral for criticizing SADC for not inviting him to Summit held in his ‘territory’
King Misuzulu expressed disappointment over not getting an invitation to attend major political events held in Kwazulu Natal, an act he views as disrespect to the Zulu kingdom, and his rule. The king was speaking at eMachobeni Royal Palace on September 5, 2026. during the ongoing reed dance ceremony (Umhlanga) where Zulu maidens are taking part in the cultural event.
A video of the king expressing disappointment over being left out of the SADC Indaba has been retweeted multiple times. In the video, the Zulu king is heard complaining about why his authority is not recognized for regional meeting happening in under his domain. He further said a leader from Nigeria was disappointed about the South African government not putting the king at the forefront of events happening in Kwazulu-Natal.
The video of King Misuzulu has raised a lot of online debate about the privileges and right of monarchs in South Africa. People are divided on what the role of the king should be in international events including SADC. There are those who believe the king should have been invited based on his ownership of around 30% of the land in the Province of Kwazulu-Natal through the Ingonyama Trust. Some South Africans feel this level of ownership warrants the king to be taken seriously as a player in the province. Most people seemed to infer that the king was referring to the ANC ( African National Congress) hosting events in the province without extending an invite to the king.
Some South Africans are of the view that there is no need to extend an invitation to King Misuzulu because he is a ceremonial leader, and as such he holds no actual authority to make such requests. Some South Africans are of the view that the Supreme law of South Africa is the constitution of the land. There are those who express a more derogatory view, citing authorities may not trust the king at such events based on behavior from leaked videos such as the viral video of the Zulu King arguing with his wife with a bottle of beer in his hand.
