Late King Goodwill Zwelithini married six wives and had at least 28 children, including thirteen daughters, before his demise in March 2021. Among widely known King Zwelithini’s daughters are Princess Ntandoyenkosi, Princess Ntombizosuthu, and Princess Ntandoyesizwe.
Since the King’s passing, the royal family has been making headlines following an intense succession battle in the Zulu Nation, for which some of King Zwelithini’s daughters have taken the matter to court.
While Princess Ntandoyenkosi and Princess Ntombizosuthu are insinuating that their father’s will was forged, thus, seeking cancellation in court, other Zulu royals are admonishing for peace to reign in the royal house.
How Many Daughters Did King Zwelithini Have?
The Zulu royal family is arguably the most well-recognized royal family in SA. King Zwelithini, born on July 27th, 1948, welcomed at least 15 sons and 13 daughters before his death on March 12th, 2021. His first five wives gave birth to the 13 known Zulu Princesses.
The sixth wife, Zola Zelusiwe Mafu, to whom the King got betrothed in 2006 and married in 2014, only had one child; a son named Prince Nhlendlayenkosi Zulu. King Zwelithini was the reigning King of the Zulu Nation from 1968 to the time of his death.
He died from a diabetes-related illness, though his traditional prime minister announced during his funeral preparations that his death was caused by COVID-19. The late King died at 72 and ruled the Zulu Nation for almost 50 years.
King Zwelithini’s Wives and Their Daughters
King Goodwill Zwelithini married his first wife, Queen Sibongile Dlamini, in 1969, two years before his coronation as the King of the Zulu Nation. Their 52 years of marriage produced six children; a son and five daughters, namely, Princess Nombuso Zulu, Princess Thandeka Zulu Mthiyane, Princess Ntombizosuthu Ka Zwelithini Duma, Princess Ntandoyenkosi Ka Zwelithini Ngcaweni, and Princess Sinethemba Bati Zulu.
The late King’s second marriage to Queen Buthle MaMathe in 1974 produced two daughters – Princess Sibusile Zulu and Princess Nandi Zulu. Zwelithini married his third wife, late Queen Mantfombi Dlamini, in 1977. The two had eight children; 5 sons, including the King’s successor, King Misuzulu Zulu, and three daughters named Princess Ntandoyesizwe Zulu, Princess Nomkhosi, and Princess Bukhosibemvelo.
1n 1988, The Zulu King entered his fourth marriage with Queen Thandekile Ndlovu and had only one daughter—Princess Mukelile Zulu. Later in 1992, he married his fifth wife, Queen Nompumelelo Mchiza. They had three children―a son and two daughters named Princess Nqobangothando Zulu and Princess Cebolabo Zulu.
List of King Zwelithini’s Wives and Their Daughters
Queen Sibongile Dlamini’s Daughters
- Princess Nombuso Zulu
- Princess Thandeka Zulu Mthiyane
- Princess Ntombizosuthu Ka Zwelithini Duma
- Princess Ntandoyenkosi Ka Zwelithini Ngcaweni
- Princess Sinethemba Bati Zulu
Queen Buthle MaMathe’s Daughters
- Princess Sibusile Zulu
- Princess Nandi Zulu
Late Queen Mantfombi Dlamini’s Daughters
- Princess Ntandoyesizwe Zulu
- Princess Nomkhosi
- Princess Bukhosibemvelo
Queen Thandekile Ndlovu’s Daughter
- Princess Mukelile Zulu
Queen Nompumelelo Mchiza’s Daughters
- Princess Nqobangothando Zulu
- Princess Cebolabo Zulu
Who Is King Zwelithini’s First Daughter?
King Goodwill Zwelithini’s first daughter is Princess Sibusile Zulu, the daughter of Queen Buhle KaMathe. In the past years, many people have assumed that Princess Nombuso Zulu, the King’s first daughter with his first wife, Queen Sibongile Dlamini, is Zwelithini’s first daughter.
This is not true as Princess Sibusile is a year older than Princess Nombuso. King Zwelithini’s first daughter was born in the year 1972. However, there’s little to no information regarding Sibusile’s personal life and what she does for a living.
She only came to the limelight in April 1996 when the royal palace where she resided with her mother was invaded by armed men who seriously wounded the Queen, her daughter, and some other members of the royal family.
1996 Zulu Royal Family Attack
On April 25th, 1996, when Princess Sibusile Zulu was 25 years old, the Royal House of Mbelebeni, located in the township of KwaMashu outside Durban, was attacked by a mob of ten men armed with sticks, knives, and guns. Queen Buhle was residing in the Royal House along with her children at the time.
The mob left the Queen and Princess Sibusile with serious injuries for which they were hospitalized for some time. The Queen had a concussion with multiple head injuries and cuts on her scalp. She was in critical condition afterward and, as a result, underwent surgery.
Princess Sibusile Zulu, on the other hand, could hardly speak after the attack. She had a blood clot on the brain, a fractured leg as she was shot on the leg, and multiple cuts and bruises. She also underwent surgery and was lucky to have made it alive.
Sadly, the King’s niece, Princess Nonhlanhla Zulu, who was abducted on the night of the attack, was found dead the next day. Her body was discovered on a football field in a workers’ residential compound overseen by the Zulu nationalist Inkatha Freedom Party.
The attack was alleged to have been perpetrated by the Inkatha Freedom Party, as they were considered arch rivals of the African National Congress. The tension between King Goodwill Zwelithini and Inkatha escalated after he left the party in 1994. The Royal House attack was condemned in the strongest terms by the former South African President, Nelson Mandela.
Meet The Other 13 Zulu Princesses Who Were King Zwelithini’s Daughters
Coming from the most popular royal family in South Africa, King Zwelithini’s daughters have worked hard over the years to do impactful works that have positively influenced the lives of the citizens of the Zulu Nation. Here’s a sneak peek into the personal lives and professions of the Zulu Princesses.
1. Princess Nombuso Zulu
- Date of Birth: December 25th, 1973
- Age: 50 years old
- Occupation: Businesswoman
- Marital Status: Divorced
Assumed by many to be King Zwelithini’s first daughter, Princess Nombuso is the King’s first daughter with his first wife, Queen Sibongile Dlamini Zulu. She was born on December 25th, 1973. She had her traditional wedding ceremony in 2003, during which her then-husband, Seshi Chonco, paid ilobolo, which included R50,000 in cash and 17 cows.
The couple had their civil wedding in July 2005. Sadly, the marriage was short-lived as Princess Nombuso, and Seshi Chonco divorced two years later due to irreconcilable differences. The princess now serves as the owner of Ilembe Catering Services, based in Durban.
2. Princess Ntandoyesizwe Zulu
- Date of Birth: June 28th, 1976
- Age: 47 years old
- Occupation: Businesswoman
- Marital Status: Married
Princess Ntandoyesizwe is the first daughter of King Zwelithini’s third wife, Mantfombi Dlamini. She was born in Nergville, KwaZulu-Natal, on June 28th, 1976. Her mother was the daughter of Sobhuza II of Swaziland and the sister of King Mswati III. She was the late King’s Great Wife and passed away in April 2021.
Following the sudden nature of her death, it was speculated that Queen Mantfombi was poisoned again, having been previously poisoned in the year 2017. Princess Ntandoyesizwe’s mother died a month after assuming the role of the royal family’s acting regent. As a teenager, Queen Mantfombi’s daughter was appointed the chief princess to lead the maidens of the land.
She attended St. John’s Diocesan School for Girls in Pietermaritzburg and began working as a model. She participated in beauty pageants at a young age and was crowned a beauty queen at one point. Princess Ntandoyesizwe Zulu is now a businesswoman. She assists her husband, Moses Tembe, in his chains of businesses.
Marriage and Children
King Zwelithini’s daughter, Princess Ntandoyesizwe, has been married twice. Her first marriage was to the late Prince Oupa Moilwa, a member of the Bhaurutse royal family. The two were believed to have met in Beaufort West, Western Cape Town. They had their traditional wedding ceremony on April 13th, 2002, at Enyokeni Royal Palace in Nongoma.
Their civil wedding took place on July 11th, 2004, and was attended by 5000 guests. The union didn’t last long and was called off a few years later. The reason for the separation has been kept under wraps. The South African princess later found love in the arms of Moses Tembe, a millionaire businessman.
Tembe’s first wife, Lulu Tembe, died after a long-term battle with sickness. The couple had three children before her demise, including Anele Tembe. The businessman and Princess Ntandoyesizwe now have a blended family following the arrival of their two children, Vukile and Mbali Tembe.
Sadly in April 2021, tragedy befell the family when one of their daughters, Anele Tembe, who was the fiancée of South African rapper AKA, took her own life by jumping off the 10th floor of a hotel. Moses Tembe believes that his daughter’s death must have been influenced by alcohol and drugs and wasn’t purely suicide.
Who Is Princess Ntandoyesizwe Zulu’s Husband, Moses Tembe?
Moses Tembe is a successful businessman who owns a business empire of fast food outlets, filling stations, and shipping companies. He was born in Jozini in northern KwaZulu-Natal and attended the University of South Africa. There, he earned a BA in Public Administration and Political Science.
He later enrolled at the University of Cape Town, where he completed a course in Financial Management. In the past years, the award-winning entrepreneur has been involved in many major developments that occurred in KwaZulu-Natal. They include the development of Richards Bay Eco Junction, Point Waterfront, and Suncoast.
Princess Ntandoyesizwe’s husband has also served on the board of several companies listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange. They include Beige Holdings, Mr. Price Group, and Santova. He presently serves as the director of Mazibuye Investments and Durban International Conference Centre.
Tembe is also the Co-Chairman of the KwaZulu-Natal Growth Coalition and Economic Council and the Deputy Chairman of Phumelela Gaming. Other positions he has previously occupied in his illustrious business career are as follows:
- President of the Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry
- Secretary General of Inyanda (KZN NAFCOC)
- Chairman of the eThekwini Community Foundation
- Vice Chairman of KwaZulu-Natal Business Initiative
- Boardmember of Durban Infrastructure Development Trust
3. Princess Nandi Zulu
- Date of Birth: May 30th, 1977
- Age: 46 years old
- Occupation: Philanthropist
- Marital Status: Divorced
Princess Nandi Zulu is a 46 years old Zulu Princess who serves as the founder of Princess Nandi Zulu Foundation and co-founder of King Shaka Academy. She is well known for her benevolent deeds. She is the daughter of King Zwelithini and his second wife, Queen Buthle MaMathe. Princess Nandi was born and raised in Kwa-Nongoma in the KwaZulu-Natal midlands.
Her birth date is May 30th, 1977. At the age of three, the Zulu royalty went to live with her newly married aunt in Swaziland. Thus, she traveled between Swaziland and South Africa until she turned six. She attended St. Anne’s Diocesan College in Hilton from 1990 to 1994. King Zwelithini’s daughter bagged a Diploma in Public Relations from the Tswane University of Technology in Pretoria.
She further holds a Management Advancement Programme (MAP) Certificate from Wits Business School and a National Certificate in Project Management from Executive Education. Upon graduating from the Tswane University of Technology, the princess had an internship at Johannesburg-based Meropa Communications.
She further worked at a non-profit organization called Mpilonhke, which is funded by African Outreach Project owned by Charlize Theron and Oprah Winfrey-owned Angel Network. She subsequently established her foundation, Princess Nandi Zulu Foundation, which focuses on providing young girls with quality education.
Marriage/Divorce
In an attempt to unite the BaThembu clan in the Eastern Cape and the Zulu royal family, Queen Buthle’s daughter married Mfundo Mitrara, acting deputy paramount chief of the BaThembu clan, in December 2002. Her traditional marriage took place at Thembu Great Palace near Qunu, while the civil wedding was held at St. John’s Cathedral, Mthatha.
The princess’ husband reportedly paid for her lobola with 150 cows. Unfortunately, the marriage hit the rocks just after two years. And by royal decree, the princess is not permitted to talk about her marriage and why she decided to walk away from the union after a few years. It’s still unclear whether the marriage produced any children.
4. Princess Nomkhosi
- Date of Birth: 1978
- Age: 46 years old
- Occupation: Philanthropist
- Marital Status: Married
Late Queen Mantfombi Dlamini’s second daughter, Princess Nomkhosi Zulu, is 46 years old. She graduated from Wykeham Collegiate in 1998 and studied Business Management at then-Pretoria Technikon. She is the founder of the Princess Magogo Foundation, which assists underprivileged young girls and women.
King Zwelithini’s daughter is married to Melusi Moyo, who reportedly paid R250,000 in lobola. At the time of the traditional wedding ceremony, Princess Nomkhosi’s husband was said to give the top 100 members of the Zulu royal family expensive gifts valued at over R130,000. He also delivered 114 cows as part of the lobola.
5. Ntombizosuthu Ka Zwelithini Duma
- Date of Birth: 1979
- Age: 45 years old
- Occupation: Businesswoman
- Marital Status: Married
King Zwelithini’s daughter, Princess Ntombizosuthu Ka Zwelithini Duma, is 45 years old. Her birth year is 1979, and her mother is the King’s first wife, Sibongile Dlamini. The princess is the co-owner of her husband’s businesses, including Zamalwandle Transport Logistics and Strategic Persuasions.
She is married to a Johannesburg-based businessman called Mbongiseni Duma. Her husband reportedly paid almost R1 million in lobola. To wade off opportunists from coming to marry his daughters, King Goodwill Zwelithini made it compulsory for her daughters’ suitors to bring about 144 cows as lobola.
He also stated that his sons-in-law would have to do the wedding according to the terms of the royal family. And that the wedding expenses must be catered for by the groom’s family.
6. Princess Thandeka Zulu Mthiyane
- Occupation: Businesswoman
- Marital Status: Married
Princess Thandeka Zulu Mthiyane is one of King Zwelithini’s eldest daughters. Her mother is Queen Sibongile Dlamini, and there are vague details regarding her personal life. However, it is known that the Zulu royal exchanged vows with her heartthrob, Sandile Mthiyane, in March 2009 at St. Paul’s Anglican Church in Durban.
Her husband reportedly paid for her lobola with 100 cows. He works as an engineer at South African Reserve Bank, whereas Princess Thandeka serves as the owner of a Johannesburg-based skincare company.
7. Princess Ntandoyenkosi Ka Zwelithini Ngcaweni
- Date of Birth: 1982
- Age: 42 years old
- Occupation: Asset Manager
- Marital Status: Married
The fourth daughter of King Zwelithini and Queen Sibongile Dlamini, Princess Ntandoyenkosi Ka Zwelithini Ngcaweni, was born in 1982. The princess had a close tie with her father such that in 2005, he designated her as the Head of the Zulu Maidens. She is married to author and businessman Busani Ngcaweni.
Princess Ntandoyenkosi and Ngcaweni tied the knot on August 20th, 2008, at the ages of 25 years and 34 years, respectively. At the time of the wedding, the princess was furthering her education at the University of Johannesburg. She is presently associated with the Public Investment Corporation as an asset manager.
Meet Her Husband, Busani Ngcaweni
Princess Ntandoyenkosi’s better half, Busani Ngcaweni, is a well-known author and political personality. He has impressive educational achievements as he holds junior and senior degrees in Education. Ngcaweni also earned a Master’s degree in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of KwaZulu-Natal.
He further attended the UNISA School of Business Leadership, where he completed the Advanced Project Management Programme. He received training in Economic Development from the Graduate School of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and in African Economic History from the London School of Economics (in partnership with UCT).
Additionally, Busani Ngcaweni is a visiting scholar at Ryerson University and a Fellow of the Emerging Leaders Programme of Duke Universities and the University of Cape Town. Over the years, he has worked as a researcher for different academic and private sector institutions. In 2002, he began working as a senior manager and director at Umsobomvu Youth Fund.
He later worked as a senior policy analyst in the Policy Unit in The Presidency before assuming the role of Deputy Director General in The Presidency. He has been carrying out the role since 2008. Currently, he serves as the chairman of the Pavement Bookworm Foundation, which collects and donates books to youth from impoverished communities.
List of Busani Ngcaweni’s Edited Books
- Liberation Diaries: Reflections on 20 Years of Democracy (Jacana Media)
- Sizonqoba: Outliving AIDS in Southern Africa (AISA)
- The Future We Choose: Emerging Perspectives on the Centenary of the ANC (Africa Institute)
- Nelson R Mandela: Decolonial Ethics of Liberation and Servant Leadership (Africa World Press)
8. Princess Khonza Zulu
- Year of birth: 1984
- Age: 40 years old
Princess Khonza Zulu gained vast recognition in South Africa after leading the reed dance held in September 2001. She was a 17-year-old girl in grade 12 at a private school in Gauteng at the time. She led over 5000 maidens during the dance and was proud to have shown respect to her nation and her father, the King.
9. Princess Bukhosibemvelo Zulu
- Date of Birth: February 3rd, 1985
- Age: 39 years old
- Occupation: Beautician
- Marital Status: Married
One of King Zwelithini’s daughters with the Great Wife, Queen Mantfombi Dlamini, Princess Bukhosibemvelo Zulu, is a certified beautician who studied Somatology (Beauty Technology) in college. She was born in 1985 and attended Epworth School in Pietermaritzburg. Her siblings include King Misuzulu Zulu, Princess Ntandoyesizwe Zulu, and Prince Bambindlovu Zulu.
The princess is married to Ngwavuma-born businessman Sipho Nyawo. She had an elaborate wedding at the Botanic Gardens in Durban on August 15th, 2009. The wedding was attended by many dignitaries, including Jacob Zuma. Her husband reportedly paid her lobola with 120 cows.
10. Princess Sinethemba Bati Zulu
- Date of Birth: February 19th, 1989
- Age: 35 years old
- Education: University of Witwatersrand
Princess Sinethemba Bati Zulu is the last daughter of King Zwelithini and Queen Sibongile Dlamini. She was born in 1989. Unlike her siblings, Princess Sinethemba hasn’t been much in the spotlight. Hence, it’s unknown what she is up to at the moment. The little-known fact about her is that she studied International Relations at the University of Witwatersrand.
11. Princess Mukelile Zulu
Princess Mukelile Zulu is Queen Thandi’s only daughter. Her date of birth is unknown. The princess works as a project manager and oversees the ZAZI Campaign created to help young girls and women develop self-confidence.
The Zulu princess has also served as the host of a toddler abuse awareness campaign held in Brackenham. Additionally, she has worked for uThungulu Community Care, a local non-profit organization in Richards Bay.
12. Princess Nqobangothando Zulu
Princess Nqobangothando Zulu was born to her parents, King Zwelithini and Queen Nompomelelo maMchiza, on December 8th. Her birth year and what she does for a living are unknown. She came to the limelight in 2019 when she traveled to the United Kingdom with her father and half-sisters, Princess Sinethemba and Princess Mukelile.
The trip was made to mark the anniversary of the 1879 Iswandlana Battle, during which the British army was conquered by the Zulu army.
13. Princess Cebolabo Zulu
Princess Cebolabo Zulu is one of King Zwelithini’s youngest daughters. She is the last child of the King’s fifth wife, Queen Nompumelelo Mchiza, who had three children. Her siblings are Princess Nqobangothando and Prince Nhlangano.
Princess Cebolabo is widely known for her participation in the annual reed dance (Umkhosi Womhlanga) held at their royal residence, Enyokeni Royal Palace in KwaNongoma, South Africa. The reed dance is an ancient Zulu tradition strictly meant for the virgins in the Zulu Nation.
Princess Cebolabo led the maidens of the land during the annual reed dance held on September 8th, 2008, at the Enyokeni Royal Palace. She also participated in the 2020 reed dance, with only 30 maidens in attendance due to the COVID-19 restrictions. The reed dance featured a peaceful demonstration against gender-based violence.
The Involvement of King Zwelithini’s Daughters in the Succession Battle
Following the demise of King Zwelithini in March 2021, the feud in the royal family intensified as a succession battle broke out. The battle took another form when the King’s will was publicly read, and he appointed his Great Wife, Queen Mantfombi Dlamini as the regent.
Shortly after, the Queen passed on, and before then, she appointed her son as the King’s successor. With the new turn of events, the first wife, Queen Sibongile, and her daughters, Princess Ntombizosuthu and Princess Ntandoyenkosi, took the matter to the High Court of Pietermaritzburg, filing for different cases.
The Queen, on one hand, filed a case to nullify the marriages of the other five queens, citing that she was the only one that had a civil wedding with the King. Thus, she married him in the community of property and should be given half of the King’s estate. She, however, lost the case.
On the other hand, her daughters filed a case against the King’s will, citing that his signature on the will was forged. They demanded that King Misuzlu’s coronation should be brought to a halt and that the will should be canceled. The judge in charge of the case, Judge Isaac Madondo, ordered that the coronation should go on since no royal family member challenged Prince Misuzulu for the throne.
At the moment, the court is still expected to pass a judgment on the validity of the late King’s will. Since the case was filed by King Zwelithini’s daughters, there have been ongoing investigations concerning the signature in the will. Hopefully, the case will be finalized soon.
