Ntandoyesizwe Zulu
Princess Ntandoyesizwe Zulu (born 28 June 1976)[1] is a South African princess of the Zulu royal family, married [2] to Moses Tembe known for her contributions to the Zulu Nation, her business ventures, and her advocacy for unity within the royal family. She is the daughter of the late King Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu and Queen Mantfombi Dlamini, and the sister[3] of the current Zulu King, Misuzulu kaZwelithini.
| Princess Ntandoyesizwe Zulu | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Princess of the Zulu Nation | |||||
| Born | June 28, 1976 South Africa | ||||
| Spouse | Moses Tembe | ||||
| |||||
| House | Zulu | ||||
| Father | Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu | ||||
| Mother | Mantfombi Dlamini | ||||
| Occupation | Businesswoman, royalist | ||||
Early life and education
[edit]Princess Ntandoyesizwe Zulu was born on 28 June 1976 in Nongoma, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, to King Goodwill Zwelithini and Queen Mantfombi Dlamini,[4] the Great Wife of the Zulu King and a princess of the Swazi royal family.
Family and ancestry
[edit]Princess Ntandoyesizwe is the daughter of King Goodwill Zwelithini, the eighth monarch of the Zulu Nation, and Queen Mantfombi Dlamini,[5] a Swazi princess and sister to King Mswati III of Eswatini. Her mother’s royal lineage from the House of Dlamini, combined with her father’s status as Zulu King, positions her as a member of two prominent African royal families.
She has seven full siblings [6] from her mother:
- Prince Simangaye Zulu
- Prince Mandlesizwe Zulu
- Princess Bukhosibemvelo Zulu
- Prince Lungelo Zulu
- Prince Bambindlovu Makhosezwe Zulu
- Princess Nomkhosi Zulu
- King Misuzulu kaZwelithini
Additionally, she has numerous half-siblings from her father’s other five wives, as King Goodwill Zwelithini had 28 children[7] in total.
Role in the Zulu nation
[edit]As a prominent member of the Zulu royal family, Princess Ntandoyesizwe has played a significant role in promoting unity and preserving the cultural heritage of the Zulu Nation. Following the death[8] of her father, King Goodwill Zwelithini,[9] in March 2021, and her mother, Queen Regent Mantfombi Dlamini,[10] in April 2021, she emerged as a vocal advocate for peaceful succession proceedings.
She notably read a speech on behalf of her brother, King Misuzulu, during their mother’s memorial service in May 2021, calling for unity among the Zulu royals. Her support for her brother’s ascension to the throne was significant during a period of contention, as some family members challenged the validity of King Goodwill Zwelithini’s will. Unlike her half-sisters, Princess Ntandoyenkosi and Princess Ntombizosuthu, who sought to interdict King Misuzulu’s coronation, Princess Ntandoyesizwe remained uninvolved in the succession disputes,[11] focusing instead on fostering harmony.
Personal life
[edit]Princess Ntandoyesizwe has been married[12] twice. Her first marriage was to Kgosi Oupa Moilwa,[13] Chief of Bahurutshe Baga Moilwa [14] in North West Province, South Africa. The couple married [15] in a traditional ceremony on 13 April 2002 at Enyokeni Royal Palace in Nongoma, followed by a civil ceremony on 11 July 2004 at the Pongola Rugby Club, attended by approximately 5,000 guests, including dignitaries such as Deputy President Jacob Zuma and Inkatha Freedom Party president Mangosuthu Buthelezi. The marriage ended in separation in 2007.
After her separation, Princess Ntandoyesizwe married [16] Moses Tembe, a prominent Durban-based businessman [17] and chair of Phumelela Gaming & Leisure.[18] Moses Tembe was previously married to Lulu Msomi Tembe,[19] who passed away in 2014. The couple has four children: Vukile, Nosipho, Mbali, and Zamatonga. They have successfully blended their families, with Tembe’s children from his previous marriage, including the late Anele “Nelli” Tembe, integrating with their own.
Children
[edit]Princess Ntandoyesizwe and Moses Tembe are raising four children:[20]
- Vukile Tembe[21]
- Nosipho Tembe
- Mbali Tembe
- Zamatonga Tembe
References
[edit]- ^ "Royalty of South Africa". The Royal Forums. Retrieved 2024-04-27.
- ^ Daily Dose Of Rationality – [Topic Discussion] (YouTube video). Daily Dose Of Rationality. 2025-05-29. Retrieved 2025-06-02.
- ^ "King Misuzulu reunites with siblings at Reed Dance". Scrolla Africa. Retrieved 2024-04-27.
- ^ "Princess's marriage merges African cultures". IOL. Independent Online. 8 July 2004. Retrieved 2024-04-27.
- ^ "Announcement: Her Royal Highness Queen Mantfombi Dlamini Zulu of the Zulu Monarchy has died". Read Cultured. Retrieved 2024-04-27.
- ^ "Zulu royal family in mourning again as another of King Zwelithini's queens dies". BBC News. BBC. 2021-04-30. Retrieved 2025-06-01.
- ^ "Africa-related news headline". BBC News. BBC. 2021-05-05. Retrieved 2024-04-27.
- ^ "Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini dies in South Africa". BBC News. BBC. 2021-03-12. Retrieved 2025-06-01.
- ^ "King Goodwill Zwelithini". Britannica Kids. Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. Retrieved 2024-04-27.
- ^ "Shock and distress as regent of the Zulu nation, Queen Mantfombi, dies aged 65". IOL. Independent Online. 2 May 2021. Retrieved 2024-04-27.
- ^ In the matter of the Zulu Royal Family (High Court of South Africa, KwaZulu-Natal Division, Pietermaritzburg 2022-03-08), Text.
- ^ "Wedding bells for Zulu princess". News24. City Press. 14 June 2010. Retrieved 2024-04-27.
- ^ "Royal wedding draws thousands to Pongola". IOL. Independent Online. 11 July 2004. Retrieved 2024-04-27.
- ^ "Bahurutshe get new chief". IOL. Independent Online. 23 July 2013. Retrieved 2024-04-27.
- ^ "Zulu Family History". SA History Online. Retrieved 2024-04-27.
- ^ "As her family honours her with a library, Anele Tembe's death remains a mystery". News24. News24. 22 February 2024. Retrieved 2024-04-27.
- ^ "Moses Tembe has the skills to steer Phumelela into calmer waters". Business Day. BusinessLive. 23 January 2020. Retrieved 2024-04-27.
- ^ "Phumelela". Phumelela. Retrieved 2024-04-27.
- ^ "Moses Tembe". Pindula. Retrieved 2024-04-27.
- ^ "Moses Tembe". Pindula. Retrieved 2024-04-27.
- ^ "Nelli Tembe's brother sets the record straight on his sister and mom's suicides". News24. News24. 20 April 2021. Retrieved 2024-04-27.