13 Facts About Mcwayizeni Zulu

Prince Mcwayizeni Israel Zulu was a South African politician and senior prince of the Zulu royal family.

Mcwayizeni Zulu is known for having overtly aligned himself to the African National Congress during the final years of apartheid.

Mcwayizeni Zulu reconciled with Zwelithini in 1994 but remained in competition with Buthelezi until his death in September 1999.

Mcwayizeni Zulu was born on 3 March 1931 in Nongoma in the former Natal Province.

Mcwayizeni Zulu's father was King Solomon kaDinizulu and his half-brother, Cyprian Bhekuzulu, became King of the Zulus in the 1940s.

In Mcwayizeni's account, he was the most senior Zulu prince under Zwelithini, because he was the eldest son born to King Solomon's favoured wife.

However, by 1975, Buthelezi had been installed as Chief Executive Councillor of the new KwaZulu homeland and had founded his powerful Inkatha movement, which dominated politics in KwaZulu; Mcwayizeni acted as the king's representative in the KwaZulu Legislative Assembly but otherwise was increasingly sidelined.

At the ANC's 48th National Conference, held in December 1991 after it had been unbanned by the apartheid government, Mcwayizeni Zulu was elected to a three-year term as a member of the ANC's National Executive Committee.

Mcwayizeni Zulu was conclusively sidelined from the royal family and did not meet with King Zwelithini again for several years, until mid-1994.

Mcwayizeni Zulu served in the seat for a single term, leaving after the June 1999 election.

Mcwayizeni Zulu said that he would not resign from the ANC or from Parliament as he returned to his royal duties:.

Mcwayizeni Zulu had kidney problems and high blood pressure and was ill for about two years before his death.

Mcwayizeni Zulu was married to Thoko and had two daughters and five sons.