Amazulu King Misuzulu kaZwelithini has appointed Inkosi Zuzifa Buthelezi, the son of the late Zulu nation’s prime minister Inkosi Mangosuthu Buthelezi, as the chairperson of the Zulu kingdom council-a move that is being seen by many as a step closer to appointing him as the next Zulu prime minister. Buthelezi was formally appointed alongside prince Thulani Zulu, the new Zulu royal spokesperson, in a signing ceremony that took place in Durban on Wednesday morning.

Following a leaked voice recording in which the king was involved in a verbal altercation with one of his sisters, the important appointments come as royal elders prepare to meet with the king on Thursday to try to stop the public rift that is growing between the king and his siblings. The appointments were confirmed by Prince Thulani who said he was called to come to Durban and was told on arrival that he was being brought back as the king's spokesperson. “It was a surprise as no one had given me a hint of why the king wanted to see me,” he said.

Before announcing his retirement in 2022, Prince Thulani had previously held the position after serving the late king Goodwill Zwelithini and king Misuzulu for a brief period. In response to the appointment, Buthelezi stated that while he appreciates the king's trust in him, he is not only accepting the position but also the challenges that come with it, promising to meet the expectations of the king and the royal family. Buthelezi said he and Prince Thulani will first be briefed by the king before holding a media briefing next week to unpack what their positions entail. IOL reported last month that Buthelezi was selected for the position to prepare him for the role of prime minister. Prince Thulani confirmed that on Thursday afternoon, royal elders will meet with the king in Ulundi.

The elders have already met with the king's siblings to talk about the audio that was leaked, which showed the king and his sister, Princess Nomkhosi Zulu, having a heated argument. The delegation will be led by the late King Cyprian’s wife, Queen Mavis (Gwabeni) Zulu, late king Zwelithini’s wives and other senior princes and princesses. The king's government representative, Prince Gumbela Zulu, said it was important for the elders to hear the king's side so they could hear his explanation for the violent fight with his sister. According to a family source, the king is likely to reveal the causes of his conflicts with his siblings, which appear to center on the throne. "The king will reveal that his sisters never wanted him to succeed his late father as king.

The lodge’s fence borders the Emashobeni Palace.