King Misuzulu completes lobola for Princess Sihle Mdluli as wedding plans begin

King Misuzulu kaZwelithini has finalised lobola negotiations for Princess Sihle Mdluli, and both families have begun preparing for a wedding expected to take place by the end of the year.

Gifts and cattle exchanged in Mpumalanga

At the weekend the king travelled to Nkomazi village in Mpumalanga, accompanied by senior officials and regiments, where he presented umembeso (gifts) and completed lobola with 70 cattle for Princess Sihle Mdluli.

Who accompanied the king

The delegation included the Traditional Prime Minister inkosi Phathisizwe Chiliza, the king’s spokesperson Mpikayise Buthelezi, and his Private Secretary Arnold Ndamase, according to the royal office.

Wedding preparations under way

After the lobola negotiations, the king’s spokesperson, Mpikayise Buthelezi, said the two families agreed to begin planning a wedding.

“We received a warm welcome by the bride’s family in Mpumalanga and we paid 70 cattle because she is a princess. Now we are focusing on the preparations for the wedding,”

he said.

About the bride and royal household

Princess Sihle Mdluli, referred to within her royal family as Queen Mawewe, hails from the Mawewe Traditional Council. Her mother, Khulile Mkhwatshwa, is an inkosi.

Mdluli already resides at the Mashobeni Royal Palace in Pongolo, northern KwaZulu-Natal. She will become the king’s fourth wife, joining Queen Ntokozo Mayisela, Queen Nozizwe Mulela and Queen Nomzamo Myeni in the royal family.

What happened during the visit

The royal party was welcomed by the bride’s family in Mpumalanga. Traditional rites included the presentation of gifts and performances by maidens for the king during the lobola proceedings.

Next steps

With lobola finalised and both families agreeing to move forward, preparations for the wedding are now under way and expected to be completed by the end of the year, the king’s office said.