The stormy marriage of King Misuzulu kaZwelithini and Queen Nomzamo Myeni has been laid bare in a video that has sparked widespread outrage across South Africa. The footage shows the monarch, who is also the head of the influential Zulu nation, directing a vicious tirade against his wife, accusing her of infidelity and demanding she leave their home. In a scathing attack, he criticises Queen Myeni for making excursions without his explicit consent, highlighting the deeply patriarchal nature of Zulu society where women are often expected to adhere to traditional gender norms.
The video, which emerged earlier this week, has ignited a fierce debate on social media platforms across South Africa. Many have condemned the King's behaviour as abusive and undignified, with some labelling him a "tyrant" who is perpetuating the nation's severe issue with gender-based violence. The incident has also raised questions about the Zulu monarchy's role in addressing this crisis, particularly given its substantial annual budget from the government, amounting to several million pounds.
King Misuzulu's office has issued a statement expressing "profound regret" over the outburst, which it acknowledged had caused "pain" and "embarrassment" within royal circles. The statement attempts to downplay the incident by suggesting that the recordings are "historical in nature" and do not accurately represent the current circumstances within the Royal Household. However, critics have pointed out that engagements between the King, Queen, and politicians on the day the video surfaced demonstrate a lack of urgency in addressing these issues.
The controversy has also highlighted the long-standing family feud that led to King Misuzulu's ascension to the throne. His marriage to Queen Myeni was delayed last year amid a legal challenge from his first wife, who sought to prevent the union on grounds of bigamy before ultimately withdrawing her case. The incident is the latest in a series of high-profile royal disputes that have rocked the Zulu nation.
The South African government's response to the controversy has been muted so far. However, it comes against a backdrop of growing public pressure to address gender-based violence, which has been classified as a "national disaster" due to its severity. With an estimated 130 women killed by their partners or ex-partners every day, the incident is a stark reminder of the urgent need for change in South Africa's patriarchal society.