MBABANE – Members of the Nazareth Baptist Church in Eswatini have rallied behind His Holiness Unyazi Lwezulu Shembe after he publicly forgave Zulu King MisuzulukaZwelithini.
The church leader urged followers to let the matter rest after a video containing derogatory remarks attributed to the King circulated on social media.
Unyazi Lwezulu said he bore no grudge against the monarch.
He appealed to congregants not to dwell on the incident or continue sharing the video.
The religious leader added that he was aware some people insulted him, but he had chosen forgiveness.
Local church leader Umshumayeli Dlamini praised Unyazi Lwezulu for responding with restraint, saying his reaction reflected exceptional maturity and spiritual leadership.
He said the choice of words demonstrated respect despite the provocative circumstances.
Other church leaders also welcomed the decision, saying it reflected the values of the Nazareth Baptist Church.
The church has long-standing ties with the Zulu Royal Household. King Misuzulu is a professed member of the Shembe faith, which was founded by Prophet Isaiah Shembe in the Zulu Kingdom before spreading across South Africa and neighbouring countries, including Eswatini.
The controversy arose after private recordings surfaced online involving one of his wives, Queen Nomzamo Myeni. The remarks are not being repeated for ethical reasons.
Following the leak, King Misuzulu accepted responsibility for his comments and apologised publicly.
He also dispatched a delegation of senior Royal House elders to formally convey his apology to Unyazi Lwezulu and reaffirm the respect the Zulu Throne holds for both the religious leader and the Nazareth Baptist Church.
According to a statement from the Office of the King, the recordings were made during private family conversations and were released without his knowledge or consent.
The palace said the discussions were historical and did not reflect the current state of affairs within the Royal Household, adding that the King and Queen Nomzamo Myeni had since continued carrying out official engagements together.
The statement acknowledged that the King’s remarks, made during what it described as an emotionally charged moment, fell short of the standards expected of the monarch.
It said the King deeply regretted the pain caused to members of the Royal Family, amakhosi, religious leaders and the broader Zulu nation.
The palace further said the apology reflected the values of humility, accountability and responsible leadership rather than diminishing the dignity of the Throne.
Unyazi demonstrated profound understanding of monarch - Makhanya
MBABANE – Tati TaseSwatini Chairman Makhanya Makhanya believes that His Holiness Unyazi Lwezulu has demonstrated a profound understanding of the monarch.
Makhanya explained that anyone who comprehends the monarch’s nature knows that they cannot take offence against the King.
He further pointed out that, biblically, a King cannot be accused of anything because their existence is said to be under divine control.
He cited the scripture from the Book of Proverbs 21:1, which reads: “In the Lord’s hand, the king’s heart is a stream of water that He channels towards all those who please Him.”
Makhanya acknowledged Unyazi Lwezulu, particularly for his choice of words, but expressed the view that the religious leader had not done enough.
“The King was clear in the video about what his anger related to regarding the church. He mentioned an individual and I believe Unyazi Lwezulu ought to have initiated an investigation to resolve the matter,” he added.
Makhanya also said King Misuzulu KaZwelithi deserved sympathy for what had transpired.
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Members of the Nazareth Baptist Church have drawn a lesson from their leader, His Holiness Unyazi Lwezulu, following his forgiveness to the Zulu King, Misuzulu KaZwelithini. (Courtesy pics)