Lifestyle
Posts List
Health
Woman calls out King Misuzulu over GBVF as fresh allegations from women emerge
Mampondo kaNdamase also known as Lelethu has publicly confronted King Misuzulu Sinqobile Hlomesakhishlangu kaZwelithini over allegations involving his conduct towards women, as she shared a video of the Zulu monarch and renewed calls for accountability.
Her intervention comes after receiving messages and emails from women accusing the King of GBV related allegations. As well as the previously leaked video involving Misuzulu and his wife, Queen Nomzamo Myeni, caused widespread controversy in July. In the footage, a man identified by the royal household as the king is heard insulting the queen, accusing her of infidelity, threatening to assault her and saying he wanted her out of the royal household. The royal office later described the recordings as historical and said they did not reflect the current situation in the household.
Misuzulu also acknowledged that some of his words during the incident fell short of the standards expected of a monarch and expressed remorse.
But Mampondo’s latest post has pushed the controversy into another territory, with claims from women allegedly reaching her privately.
‘Accountability cannot be selective’
In a lengthy caption accompanying a video here the king is on a video call allegedly with her flashing a sharp knife, Mampondo directly addressed the king.
“To the man I’ve ducked and dodged most of the time, I’m saying this plainly: accountability for GBVF cannot be selective. No title, position or status should place anyone above the responsibility to account for conduct that concerns violence or the dignity of women.”
She went further, warning that the public should not dismiss behaviour towards women simply because the person involved is a traditional leader.
“Tell him if he does not apologise and take accountability for conduct that has been described as threatening towards women, the lady oVideorizayo will cut through the excuses – not with a knife, but with the truth,” she wrote.
“The same hand that is seen threatening women must never be normalised as a joke when GBVF is such a serious national crisis.”
Mampondo also responded to the king’s reported words, writing in isiXhosa:
“Andimfuni nje umntu oyinkosi ngenxa yesithsaba. Sifuna indoda enesidima, enoxanduva, ehlonipha abafazi, kwaye ekulungele ukuphendula xa kufuneka.”
She translated the sentiment through the wider context of her post – that being a king should not simply be about the crown, but about dignity, responsibility, respect for women and accountability.
She also invoked the legacy of the late King Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu.
“As King, society expects leadership that sets an example. May you never forget the legacy and the shoes of King Zwelithini, who was widely associated with honouring and celebrating the dignity of women. Leadership carries expectations, and accountability is part of that responsibility.”
‘Don’t push us to release actual videos’
Mampondo’s post then took a more serious turn.
“Don’t push us to release actual videos, stop making a joke about the Stella you drank & verbally abused a woman.”
Her reference appears to be to the alcohol visible in the widely circulated recording. Reports from July described the man in the footage as holding what appeared to be a green beer bottle, while the royal household acknowledged that the recording captured an emotionally charged confrontation.
Mampondo’s allegations about other women, however, go beyond the publicly circulated footage and have not been independently established.
She claimed that young women had contacted her with allegations of sexual abuse.
“This is also for the young virgin girls that called me saying he abused them sexually. I’m with you my babies. I’m just sad you guys didn’t run to me quickest to take you to hospitals.”
She continued:
“As a sister and woman I’m soo sorry that he could be so careless and with power, fatherhood & fame!”
Mampondo also referred to claims involving alleged rituals, writing:
“I’m sorry to the girls he used for his rituals. Emails are heartbreaking to read and May God vindicate you guys.”
These are serious allegations. There is no evidence in the material reviewed for this article independently establishing that the alleged sexual assaults or ritual-related claims occurred, and Mampondo does not present court findings or other independently verified evidence in the post.
A woman says she was taken to meet the king
The controversy is now accompanied by a screenshot of correspondence from a woman who says she previously contacted Mampondo for help.
In the email shown in the screenshot, the woman says Mampondo had previously assisted her in Johannesburg by connecting her with an MEC and later referring her to a friend at Legal Aid when she could not afford legal services.
She then describes an alleged encounter involving Prince Afrika Zulu and King Misuzulu.
According to the woman’s account, she says she was recruited by Prince Afrika Zulu to travel to meet the king. She says she went because she wanted to meet him, but alleges that once they arrived she felt trapped and unable to freely remove herself from the situation.
She further alleges that the king was intoxicated and that she was subsequently deeply affected by the experience.
The woman says she did not go to hospital afterwards and did not report the matter at the time. She asks whether there could still be a legal avenue despite not having undergone a medical examination and having no video evidence.
The identity of the woman is not established in the screenshot, and the allegations contained in her correspondence have not been independently verified.
Mampondo urges women to preserve evidence
In a separate message aimed at those who have contacted her, Mampondo appeared to shift from public confrontation to legal-awareness guidance.
She said she had received messages and emails from people sharing “deeply personal experiences and allegations involving His Majesty King Misuzulu and other men.”
“I want to assure every person who has contacted me that I will attend to your communication one by one, and some privately with identities protected and with care.”
She also cautioned alleged victims not to manufacture evidence.
“From a legal awareness perspective, the absence of a hospital record, medical examination, video or other physical evidence does not automatically mean that a person has no legal avenue.”
She advised people considering action to preserve “messages, photographs, communications, dates, names of people present and your own recollection of events”, adding:
“Do not delete, alter or manufacture evidence, and do not feel pressured to confront the person involved yourself.”
She directed people to SAPS, Legal Aid South Africa and Thuthuzela Care Centres where appropriate.
“Most importantly you have the right to be heard, to understand your legal options and to make your own decision about what steps to take.”
She ended with a pointed message about status and power:
“Your dignity matters. Your safety matters. The law must be approached through proper processes, regardless of a person’s title, status or influence.”
The video that started the storm
The allegations now being raised by Mampondo come against the backdrop of the July video that already forced the Zulu royal household to respond.
In that recording, the man purported to be Misuzulu is heard accusing Queen Nomzamo of having an affair, threatening physical assault and demanding that she leave the royal household. Towards the end, the queen is heard saying: “This is the life I have to live day and night.”
The king’s office subsequently said the footage was historical, that it had been shared without his consent and that the royal couple had moved forward from the dispute. Misuzulu nevertheless acknowledged that some of his expressions were unacceptable and issued an apology for the hurt caused.
Mampondo’s latest intervention therefore raises a broader question around whether public apologies are enough when further allegations are made by women claiming to have experienced harmful conduct.
At this stage, those additional allegations remain allegations and would need to be tested through proper investigative and legal processes.
A post shared by Mampondo kaNdamase 🤍Mcotsho (@hrh_lelethu_impondo)
Economy
Kaya 959 turns up the heat as Chefs & Chenin talent cooks live on air
Kaya 959 is bringing the flavours of the inaugural Chefs & Chenin Festival to its listeners, with some of the chefs taking over the station for a live cooking experience ahead of the two-day culinary celebration.
Chef Mahalia Jackson, Jacques Venter, Chef Tebogo Morgan and Saviour Moyo will be showcasing their culinary skills on air, giving listeners a taste of what they can expect when Chefs & Chenin takes place at Crawford International Sandton College on 26 and 27 September 2026.
The festival is presented in partnership with Kaya 959 and celebrates two distinctly South African passions – cooking over fire and Chenin Blanc.
Bringing the festival to Kaya 959
The live cooking sessions give Kaya 959 listeners an opportunity to get closer to the chefs and the food that will form part of the festival experience.
Rather than simply talking about what is coming, the chefs are putting their skills on display in the Kaya 959 studio, building anticipation for a weekend where food will be cooked over open flames and paired with South Africa’s much-loved Chenin Blanc.
The festival is designed as a celebration of food, wine, music and local creativity, with a Harvest Market, live entertainment, kids’ activities and an art exhibition also forming part of the programme.
Meet the chefs
Chef Mahalia Jackson brings more than three decades of experience in the culinary industry to the line-up. She is an executive chef, entrepreneur and published author, and has been the managing director of Added Touch Catering & Events since 2005.
Her career has included major corporate events and high-profile gatherings, with Jackson also having served guests including former presidents Nelson Mandela and Thabo Mbeki and international diplomats. She is also the author of Dare to Dream, a recipe book and memoir which won an African Authors Award in the Food Category.
Jacques Venter has built a career across different parts of Johannesburg’s culinary scene. According to his Chefs & Chenin profile, he began his career in 2003 as a commis chef at The Castle Kyalami before progressing to sous chef.
His experience has included fine dining at Roots restaurant at Forum Homini, work at Coco C in Bloemfontein and a stint at the Radisson Blu Sandton, where he worked his way up to executive sous chef. Since 2019, he has been part of the Pick n Pay group as a food specialist at Pick n Pay on Nicol and Thyme restaurant.
Chef Tebogo Morgan, the chef behind CRAVINGS, Gourmet Rainbow Cuisine, brings a fusion approach to the festival. Born in Mthatha and raised in Johannesburg, Morgan trained through the International Chef Management Diploma at Capsicum Culinary Studio in Cape Town.
His culinary style, which he describes as “Fire & Fusion”, brings together Asian and Mediterranean influences with open-fire cooking.
Saviour Moyo, who is also associated with Saint Restaurant Sandton, rounds out the group of chefs appearing as part of the Kaya 959 activation.
More than just food
Chefs & Chenin is being positioned as an experience rather than a conventional food festival.
General access tickets include a tasting meal at a pop-up restaurant of the guest’s choice, where chefs will showcase their food through live-fire cooking. There will also be curated Chenin Blanc tastings, alongside the Harvest Market, live music and entertainment for children.
The festival’s focus on open-fire cooking also taps into a familiar South African food tradition, while the Chenin Blanc element highlights one of the country’s most important wine varieties.
With Kaya 959 providing the radio platform and the chefs bringing the food to life on air, the build-up is giving audiences a preview of what awaits at Crawford International Sandton College.
Chefs & Chenin takes place on 26 and 27 September 2026. Tickets are available through Webtickets.
