Zulu King Sparks Controversy with Xenophobic Remarks

Sun Feb 01 2026 10:52:21 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

In a recent speech, South Africa's Zulu king Misuzulu kaZwelithini incited worry among foreign nationals with derogatory comments about migrants, claiming they should leave the country. Such comments have raised eyebrows and reignited discussions about xenophobia in South Africa.

During a speech in KwaZulu-Natal, King Misuzulu kaZwelithini used a derogatory term for foreign migrants, stating they must leave South Africa. This comment comes amid rising xenophobia in the country, which culminated in protests against migrants in recent weeks. The king's remarks echo sentiments expressed by his late father, stirring concerns about increasing hostility towards foreigners amidst high unemployment rates.

South Africa's Zulu king has raised eyebrows by using a highly derogatory term for foreigners and saying they must all leave the country during a much-hyped speech that was supposed to have been aimed at calming anti-migrant feelings in his home province of KwaZulu-Natal.

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Misuzulu kaZwelithini was addressing his supporters at the place where 20,000 Zulus warriors defeated a British contingent of 1,800 soldiers 147 years ago beneath the rocky outcrop of Isandlwana hill.

The Battle of Isandlwana, fought during the Anglo-Zulu war, is something many Zulus wear like a badge of honour: they fought against a foreign army and won - the foreigners were cowed.

The ire of many of King Misuzulu's subjects is now directed not at British invaders but at migrants from neighbouring countries like Lesotho, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe who have come to South Africa to work. According to official statistics, the country is home to about 2.4 million migrants, about 4% of the population.

The 51-year-old monarch did not advocate violence but said all kwerekwere, an offensive word for African migrants, must pack their bags - even if they were in relationships with South Africans and had children with them.

We must now sit down and discuss this because even if my nephew's father is a 'kwerekwere', the 'kwerekwere' must leave, only the child will remain, he said on Thursday to the delight of his audience - a response which prompted him to burst out laughing.

This is something new opposition parties - like uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) led by former President Jacob Zuma, whose main support base is in KwaZulu-Natal - have latched on to with populist policies that support the expulsion of undocumented migrants.

Many online have been quick to point out the irony of his remarks, considering the king's own mother was from Eswatini and one of his wives is also from the neighbouring kingdom. But such xenophobic attitudes have long been an issue in South Africa, leading to deadly outbreaks of violence - and his comments echo those made by his late father Goodwill Zwelithini, who urged migrants in 2015 to pack their belongings.