As part of reviving the seemingly soured relationship between the African National Congress and the Zulu royal family in KwaZulu-Natal, the newly appointed party leadership led by convener, Jeff Radebe met King Misuzulu kaZwelithini at Kwakhangelamankengane palace in Nongoma in the north of the province on Tuesday.
In a short media briefing after the meeting, Radebe said it is part of tradition for a new structure of the party to formally introduce itself to the king as a sign of respect and ask for his blessing.
Although the party dismissed the notion that its relationship with the king has soured, its veteran former provincial chairperson and former premier Dr Sbu Ndebele admitted that the party’s relationship with the royal family has not been warm as it had been previously. Ndebele added that the party also lost its support in the other formations, be it religious or traditional.
Radebe described the visit as taking ANC back to where it belongs as king Dinuzulu was appointed a lifetime honorary president of the party in 1912.
“We are here to formally introduce ourselves as the new leadership of the province under the Zulu kingdom. Our movement's relationship with the Zulu royal family dates back to its founding in 1912,” said Radebe.
Many political analysts cited the broken relationship between the government under previous ANC premiers Sihle Zikalala and Nomusa Dube-Ncube as one of the causes of the party’s losses in both the 2021 and 2025 elections.
The microphone grabbing incident between the then Zulu traditional prime Minister Reverend Thulasizwe and the then Economic Development and Tourism MEC Siboniso Duma was seen as disrespectful to the king who was present when the incident occurred.
The king figuratively told the leadership to lead the party with dignity and respect because if it fails, he will reclaim the party since it was founded by his forefather, king Dinuzulu. The king also expressed his concern at the problems facing Ithala and Ingonyama Trust and directed the leadership to use its influence to save both institutions.