• The Abathembu royal family says the visit aims to promote unity between royal houses and discuss national issues with Zuma and King Misuzulu.

The meetings follow a backlash over King Dalindyebo’s support for Israel, which led to the EFF cutting ties with him.

King Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo of the Abathembu Nation will travel to KwaZulu-Natal for high-level meetings with King Misuzulu kaZwelithini and former president Jacob Zuma.

The Abathembu royal family announced the visit on Sunday, saying it was part of efforts to strengthen ties between South Africa’s traditional leaders and deal with the fallout from King Dalindyebo’s recent visit to Israel.

“The purpose of the visit is to strengthen relations between traditional leadership institutions, promote unity and cooperation among South Africa’s royal houses, and to exchange views on matters of mutual interest,” the royal family said in a statement.

They said King Dalindyebo would meet Zuma to reflect on national issues, including leadership, governance, and the role of traditional leaders in democracy and development.

The visit also aims to draw on Zuma’s experience in advancing dialogue and national stability.

The king’s meeting with King Misuzulu will focus on reinforcing ties between the Abathembu and Zulu royal houses and finding ways to work together on shared challenges in today’s South Africa.

The visit comes just days after the Abathembu royal family appointed a senior delegation to meet President Cyril Ramaphosa, the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco), and other royal houses to address the controversy around King Dalindyebo’s Israel trip.

The delegation is led by royal adviser Advocate Matthew Mpahlwa.

This follows the Economic Freedom Fighters’ decision to cut ties with King Dalindyebo, accusing him of damaging the party’s image by visiting Israel.

The royal family also criticised other houses within the kingdom for choosing to speak to the media rather than handling the matter internally.

During his visit to Israel, King Dalindyebo accused President Ramaphosa and Inkosi Mandla Mandela of spreading lies about Israel and harming its global image.

The king was hosted in Jerusalem by Israeli Minister of Foreign Affairs Gideon Sa’ar. He travelled with his children, Princess Ntando and Prince Sinethemba, along with Abathembu chiefs, church leader Chief Apostle Ceaser Nonqunga and other royal family members.

Their visit included meetings with survivors of Hamas captivity, tours of communities near the Gaza border and the Nova Festival massacre site at Kibbutz Nir, which was heavily attacked by Hamas in October.

Pictured above: King Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo receives a warm welcome from Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar in Jerusalem.

Image source: supplied