Inkosi Zuzifa Buthelezi, a member of the KwaPhindangene royal house, has emerged as the favorite for the position as king Misuzulu kaZwelithini closes consultations with senior members of the royal family regarding the appointment of his new traditional prime minister. Buthelezi, the son of the late prime minister, inkosi Mangosuthu Buthelezi is said to be favoured by many royals who have reportedly convinced the king to entrust him with the position.

It is said that Inkosi Buthelezi, who represents the IFP in parliament at the moment, is also receiving support from numerous provincial traditional leaders. A senior prince in the royal family, who spoke on condition of anonymity,said yesterday that although the king will have the final word, Buthelezi’s name has been agreed upon by many royals. According to the source, Buthelezi will first be announced as the convener of the royal council, a group of royals that provides the king with advice on a variety of subjects. “The king is still applying his mind, however, in all likelihood, His Majesty will give the position to inkosi Zuzi.

He has the support of all of us in the royal family but for now Buthelezi will be appointed as the convener of the royal family members and eventually ascend to the prime minister’s position. The prince continued, "He has already been requested to come to His Majesty who will officially inform him about his appointment to a convener's position." Before the king appointed Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi at the January 2023 commemoration ceremony of the battle of Isandlwana, the name Inkosi Buthelezi had already been mentioned. With Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi’s unceremonious removal, Zuzifa Buthelezi again emerged as the frontrunner for the position. Other names also thrown into the ring were those of former Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize as well as the current deputy traditional prime minister inkosi Phathisizwe Chiliza.

Mkhize and inkosi had a close relationship with the late king Goodwill Zwelithini. The king has recently recommended that Mkhize serve in the 12-member committee that will investigate the Ingonyama Trust Board. Zuzifa Buthelezi declined to comment on the situation, claiming that he had not been informed of any appointment. However, he stated that his late father had instilled in him the idea that if the king or amakhosi asked him to do something, he would have no choice but to accept it. Since the king fired Thulasizwe Buthelezi in December, the position has been vacant. However, the king recently asked Buthelezi to call an imbizo (gathering), which is the job of the prime minister. This left many people puzzled.