DURBAN – A poster promoting a women’s prayer and empowerment event hosted by Queen Nomzamo Myeni has ignited another storm on social media, with critics questioning whether the event was sanctioned by the Office of King Misuzulu kaZwelithini and accusing the Queen of disregarding royal protocol.
The event, organised by the Sizowakha oKaZulu Foundation, is scheduled to take place on 27 August 2026 at the eNgwavuma Royal Palace (eMachobeni) under the theme “Women in Prayer and Empowerment.”
The poster identifies Queen Nomzamo Myeni as the host and features several religious speakers and performers.
The backlash comes just weeks after a leaked video footage allegedly captured King Misuzulu angrily insulting Queen Myeni while expressing frustration over issues involving her.
In that footage King MisuZulu can be seen shouting and swearing at Queen Myeni.
The recording fuelled speculation about tensions within the royal household.
Many social media users blamed Queen Myeni for the recording becoming public, despite there being no evidence publicly identifying who leaked it.
More recently, speculation intensified when Queen Myeni was absent from Umkhosi Wesivivane, while the King’s other three wives attended the royal ceremony.
Her absence prompted widespread discussion online, with some interpreting it as further evidence of divisions within the royal household.
Neither the Palace nor Queen Myeni has publicly explained her absence.
The latest controversy centres on whether announcements involving members of the Royal Household should be communicated through the Office of the King rather than being published independently.
One Facebook user, Nurse Dube, questioned why the Queen appeared to be making announcements independently.
“Why is she announcing events herself? Isn’t this supposed to come from the Office of the King? The King is announcing a prayer event at eMachobeni while she is also announcing one there. Are there now two competing groups within the palace?” Dube wrote.
Another user, Samukele Ngubane, argued that the Queen’s advisers were failing her.
“Whoever advises Queen Mdolomba does not wish her well. This should have been official communication from King Misuzulu’s office. It is unfortunate that her protocol and communications team appears incompetent. Nevertheless, I hope the prayer meeting is successful,” said Ngubane.
Marvin Dube similarly questioned whether proper royal procedures had been followed.
“I thought invitations of this nature came from the King’s office. Is there something she wants us to know?”
Buyi Khumalo suggested that the public would inevitably direct difficult questions at the King.
“Did she first report this to the King? People end up blaming the King while he has to answer difficult questions.”
Other comments focused less on protocol and more on what some viewed as the public handling of internal royal affairs.
One commenter wrote that a wife should preserve the dignity of her household rather than airing family disputes publicly, while another expressed concern that repeated controversies were damaging the image of the monarchy.
Supporters, however, have urged the public not to politicise a prayer gathering intended to empower women, arguing that the event should be judged on its own merits rather than through the lens of ongoing speculation surrounding the royal family.
Africa Daily has repeatedly tried to get comments from King MisuZulu’s Spokesperson, Mpikayise Buthelezi on whether the event was officially sanctioned, whether it forms part of the Royal Household’s programme, and whether the Queen’s absence from Umkhosi Wesivivane was related to the current controversy but there was no response.
