Zulu Royal Family
1Min
South Africa
Dec 3, 2025
King Misuzulu Kazwelithini has reappointed Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi as the Traditional Prime Minister of the Zulu Kingdom. The reappointment includes the creation of the Prime Minister’s Executive Council, which will serve as the highest decision making body reporting directly to the King.
King Misuzulu Kazwelithini has formally reappointed Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi as the Traditional Prime Minister of the Zulu Kingdom. The appointment took effect on 02 December 2025 and was confirmed during a swearing in ceremony held at Imbube Lodge in Pongola.
The ceremony was attended by members of the Zulu Royal Family, Her Majesty Queen Sihle Mdhluli kaMawewe, members of the Eswatini Royal Family, the Zulu Kingdom Royal Chancellor, Amakhosi, and senior officials of the Private Office of His Majesty the King. The oath of office was administered by the Royal Chaplain, Canon H Mbatha.
In the appointment letter, King Misuzulu stated, “I hereby appoint Reverend Thulasizwe D Buthelezi to serve as the Traditional Prime Minister of the Zulu Kingdom, with effect from 2 December 2025.” He outlined that the mandate entrusted to Reverend Buthelezi was intended to provide executive leadership, structural coordination, and administrative oversight under the authority of the monarch.
His Majesty further emphasised the authority of the office, saying, “The Prime Minister shall serve as the chief executive authority of the Zulu Kingdom beneath the King and represent His Majesty in governmental, administrative, and developmental matters.”
A major feature of the new appointment is the establishment of the Prime Minister’s Executive Council, described as the highest decision making body of the Zulu Kingdom. The Council is expected to strengthen governance, accountability, and coordination within royal administrative structures. According to the mandate, the Council reports directly to His Majesty.
The Council is composed of five senior offices of the Kingdom. These are the Traditional Prime Minister, who serves as chairperson, the Deputy Traditional Prime Minister, the King’s Representative to the House of Traditional Leaders, the Royal Chancellor, and the Head of the Private Office of His Majesty the King, who acts as the secretariat. These positions form what the King has defined as the executive nucleus of governance.
The Council will approve or decline all programmes, initiatives, engagements, and development plans before they are implemented. It will also ensure that decisions and actions taken in the name of the Zulu Kingdom are aligned with the cultural, developmental, and administrative vision of the monarch. His Majesty reinforced this by stating in the mandate that no projects or policies may be implemented by the Prime Minister without the approval of the Council.
The role of the Council also includes ensuring administrative integrity and proper reporting to the King. It will manage coordination between the Kingdom and government departments, traditional councils, and other institutions. The Council has been tasked with protecting cultural practices and ensuring modern governance alignment.
All Council decisions remain subject to the authority of the King, who is the final custodian of governance direction. The Council reports only to His Majesty.
During the oath of office, Reverend Buthelezi said, “I do solemnly swear before God Almighty and the Zulu Nation that I will faithfully, truthfully, and diligently discharge the duties of Traditional Prime Minister of the Zulu Kingdom.” He also pledged to uphold and honour the authority of the King and serve with integrity and loyalty.
The reappointment and the formation of the Council are expected to strengthen leadership, protect tradition, improve institutional governance, and enhance engagement with government and development partners. According to the Royal House, the King has expressed full confidence in Reverend Buthelezi’s ability to lead the Kingdom’s administrative and developmental agenda.
