IZITHAKAZELO ZAKWA DLAMINI
Nkosi! Hlubi!
Ludonga lukaMavuso,
Abay’eMbo babuyelela.
Abasidwaba weza nonina.
Abengomane yaseMavaneni,
Abaqed’uBombo ngokuhlehlezela,
AbakwaSibhahuza
SikaMabhanda eMpondweni.
Inkonekaz’evele ngobusw’emgedeni.
USamkethe, esinembay’emaLangeni,
UMswazi kaSobhuza.
Mlangeni!
Nina bakwaKusa nelanga
Nina bakwaWawawa.
Lokothwayo!
Sibalukhulu!
Nina beNgwane,
Nina besicoco sangenhlana.
Kunene!
His descendants would go on to establish royal houses across Southern Africa, including the reigning monarchy of Eswatini.
His reign saw significant challenges as much Swazi land was lost to Boer concessionaires. He was given the title Dlamini IV upon ascending the throne, chosen by Sisile Khumalo, the late king’s mother, to take the kingship.
They conquered and incorporated many earlier inhabitants, eventually ruling over all of present-day Eswatini. The House of Dlamini continues to serve as Eswatini’s reigning royal family to this day.
1950-2021)
King of the Nhlangwini people who sought recognition as an independent kingdom within KwaZulu-Natal. Despite his claims being rejected by the Nhlapo Commission in 2009, he maintained his status as king until his death. His son Nqalabutho kaMelizwe Dlamini succeeded him and continues his father’s legacy, receiving a certificate of recognition from the Congress of Traditional Leaders of South Africa in 2024.
He continues to seek full constitutional recognition of his kingdom, maintaining that the Nhlangwini have never bowed to the Zulu king and have no historical relationship with the Zulu monarchy. His cause represents one of several KZN tribes seeking recognition as independent kingdoms.