Nompumelelo Mchiza is the fifth wife of the late King Goodwill Zwelithini of the Zululand. She got married to the King in 1992, and the union was a source of Zulus’ discontent. Most of the people were against the King marrying a Xhosa bride as both tribes have been in rivalry for ages.
Nompumelelo’s marriage to the Zulu King was perceived to have had a political undertone, and it helped foster some kind of reconciliation between both tribes. Before the death of her husband, the queen had welcomed three children, and they live at the Enyokeni Palace.
Nompumelelo Mchiza’s Biography Summary
- Full name: Nompumelelo Mchiza
- Gender: Female
- Date of birth: January 14th, 1973
- Nompumelelo Mchiza’s Age: 51 years old
- Ethnicity: Xhosa
- Nationality: South African
- Zodiac Sign: Capricorn
- Sexual Orientation: Straight
- Religion: Christain
- Marital Status: Married
- Nompumelelo Mchiza’s Husband: Late King Goodwill Zwelithini
- Nompumelelo Mchiza’s Children: Two daughters and one son; Princess Nqobangothando Zulu, Prince Nhlangano Zulu, and Princess Cebo Zulu
- Famous for: King Goodwill Zwelithini’s fifth wife
What is Nompumelelo Mchiza’s Age?
Queen Nompumelelo is presently 51 years old. She was born on January 14th, 1973. Even though she hails from the Xhosa tribe, Transkei, Nelson Mandela’s native province, she was raised by her parents in Zululand, the city of Clermont, to be precise. Her father worked for the Department of Education in KwaZulu.
Having lived in Zululand for most of her life, Nompumelelo Mchiza learned the Zulu culture. As a result, she constantly took part in the annual reed dance that required young maidens in the land, including the King’s daughters, to dance bare-breasted in reed skirts for the men of the tribe.
She Became King Zwelithini’s Wife at The Age of 19
In 1991, during the Reed dance, Nompumelelo Mchiza participated and was chosen by King Goodwill Zwelithini to become his fifth wife. The selection of a 19-year-old Xhosa-speaking maiden by the 44-year-old King culminated in a swirl of political speculation as Nelson Mandela, who was then president of the African National Congress, comes from the same Xhosa tribe as Nompumelelo.
Also, it was reported at the time that Nompumelelo’s parents were against the union as they never wanted to be embroiled in the hostilities between the Zulus and the Xhosas and due to the huge age difference of 25 years between the couple. Nevertheless, the wedding still took place on July 25th, 1992.
Nompumelelo Mchiza’s parents were given a lobola of 20 heifers and a white bull from the King’s ranch as a token of honor for the bride’s virginity. Sixteen cows were also slaughtered and feasted on for the wedding banquet.
The wedding was attended by the King’s first, second, and third wives. The fourth wife was absent according to Zulu tradition. Additionally, ambassadors of China and Israel and a group of Portuguese folk dancers from Johannesburg were present at the ceremony.
Meet Nompumelelo Mchiza’s Children
Queen Nompumelelo Mchiza’s marriage to King Zwelithini is blessed with three children; two daughters and a son, namely Princess Nqobangothando Zulu, Prince Nhlangano Zulu, and Princess Cebo Zulu.
Information regarding their birthdates and place of birth is still under wraps. Nonetheless, it is known that the Zulu queen lives with her children at the Enyokeni Place, also called the King’s traditional palace. Her children are among the late King Zwelithini’s youngest children.
What Nompumelelo Mchiza Has Been Up To Since King Zwelithini’s Death
King Goodwill Zwelithini passed away on March 12th, 2021, from COVID-19 complications. Soon after his burial, chaos broke out in the royal house concerning the King’s successor. King Misuzulu was eventually selected, but a division in the royal still exists as two memorial services were held for the King on March 12th, 2022.
While Nompumelelo Mchiza and the late King’s other widows held a commemoration at KwaKhethomthandayo Royal Palace, King Misuzulu organized another memorial service at his home KwaKhangelamankengane Royal Palace.
Since her husband’s demise, Queen Nompumelelo has been staying in her own royal home, Enyokeni Palace, as each of the late King’s wives has a royal home. There, she hosts the annual Umhlanga Reed dance every September.
