| Ntokozo Mayisela | |
|---|---|
| Inkosikazi | |
| Queen consort of the Zulu Nation | |
| Reign | 7 May 2021 – present |
| Born | 18 February 1986 South Africa |
| Spouse | King Misuzulu kaZwelithini (m. 2021) |
Queen Ntokozo kaMayisela Zulu is the first wife and consort of King Misuzulu kaZwelithini, the reigning monarch of the Zulu nation in South Africa. Her marriage to the King has drawn significant public and media attention, particularly due to legal disputes surrounding the King's subsequent marriages and the intersection of traditional Zulu customs with South African civil law. [1] [2]
Little verifiable information is publicly available regarding Queen Ntokozo's early life, family background, or education. She is reported to be 39 years old as of January 2025. [1] Before her marriage to King Misuzulu, she lived a relatively private life and did not have a notable public profile. Her family origins, schooling, and early career are not documented in reliable public sources.
Queen Ntokozo married King Misuzulu kaZwelithini in May 2021, shortly after he became heir to the Zulu throne following the death of his father, King Goodwill Zwelithini. According to reports, the King paid lobola to the Mayisela family consisting of eight cows and approximately R50,000 in cash. Their union was formalized as a civil marriage under South African law, distinguishing it from a purely customary marriage and making it subject to the provisions of the Marriage Act. which restricts a man from taking additional wives unless the marriage is converted into a customary one. [3]
Following her marriage, Queen Ntokozo began appearing publicly at royal ceremonies and cultural events, including the annual Marula Festival, a key celebration in Zulu tradition. [4] Despite tensions in her marriage, she has often represented the royal household at official functions. Her public demeanour has been described as dignified and reserved, reflecting both her adherence to tradition and her awareness of her role as a modern royal consort navigating public scrutiny. [5]
In January 2025, Queen Ntokozo filed an urgent court application at the Pietermaritzburg High Court seeking to prevent King Misuzulu from entering into another marriage while their civil marriage remained valid. [6] [7] She argued that a civil marriage under South African law prohibits the husband from taking additional wives unless the marriage is converted into a customary union. [8] [9] The Queen's legal action brought widespread attention to the complexities of balancing Zulu customary law, which permits polygamy, with the South African civil legal system, which does not.
The case underscored ongoing debates about whether traditional monarchs are bound by the same marital laws as ordinary citizens, and whether a Zulu king's cultural authority supersedes civil restrictions. It also highlighted tensions between modernity and tradition within South Africa's constitutional democracy. [10]
As of late 2025, the legal proceedings between Queen Ntokozo and King Misuzulu remain unresolved in the public record. Reports suggest that the King has continued with other marriages and engagements, while Queen Ntokozo maintains that their civil marriage remains legally binding. [11] Despite the dispute, she continues to be recognized in the media and among Zulu traditionalists as the King's first wife and a central figure in the unfolding story of the modern Zulu monarchy. [12]
Queen Ntokozo kaMayisela Zulu's story embodies the intersection of custom, modern law, and monarchy in post-apartheid South Africa. Her marriage and subsequent legal challenge have sparked public discussions on women's rights, the recognition of customary unions, and the evolving nature of the Zulu royal household in a constitutional society. Regardless of the outcome of her court case, Queen Ntokozo remains a key historical figure in the contemporary era of the Zulu monarchy. [13]