King Misuzulu reaffirms call to rename KwaZulu-Natal

AmaZulu King Misuzulu kaZwelithini has intensified his call to rename the province of KwaZulu-Natal to simply KwaZulu, framing the move as a vital step toward reclaiming historical identity.

The King appealed for the official opening of the provincial legislature, ahead of the State of the Province Address (SOPA).

Addressing lawmakers directly, the monarch lobbied the legislature to consider the name change, a proposal that was met with notable support from the MK Party and the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP).

This is not the first time the King has championed this shift. He initially voiced the proposal last month in Nquthu during the commemoration of the Battle of Isandlwane, notably in the presence of President Cyril Ramaphosa.

King Misuzulu maintains that removing "Natal" from the provincial title is necessary to correct historical distortions.

“I am making a call in all my capacity as King of the Zulu nation. This move is long overdue as we seek to restore our history and our identity and dignity.”

The monarch’s address was met with loud cheers from the majority of those in attendance. While the proposal has gained traction among certain political factions, the provincial government has yet to officially pronounce its stance on the matter.

The renaming process would require significant legislative steps, but the King’s persistent advocacy has now placed the issue firmly at the center of the provincial agenda.