"...ALL OF YOU ARE HALF-ZULUS."

King's statement, spokesperson Prince Thulani Zulu indicated that he was not in a position to comment at this time.

As anti-illegal immigration protests unfolded in several parts of South Africa on Tuesday, King Misuzulu kaZwelithini used a gathering of traditional leaders to caution against the indiscriminate targeting of foreign nationals, warning that such actions risk harming people with deep historical and cultural ties to the Zulu Kingdom.

The King's remarks came as groups participating in the nationwide March and March demonstrations called for stronger action against illegal immigration and undocumented foreign nationals. While organisers have maintained that their campaign is directed at illegal imigrants rather than all foreign nationals, the demonstrations have reignited a heated national debate over immigration, crime, unemployment and social cohesion.

Addressing traditional leaders, King Misuzulu expressed concern over reports that people from neighbouring countries, including Malawi and Zimbabwe, had been chased away.

"I am deeply hurt because I have people in Malawi, Zimbabwe, and Bulawayo, and they have been chased away. When I assumed the throne, these kingdoms recognised and respected my Kingship. You really must choose carefully who you’re chasing away because none of us carries a mark on our forehead identifying where we come from," "Besides, no one can claim to be a completely pure Zulu, all of you are half-Zulus. We all come from different backgrounds and you must not discriminate against other nations. Respect yourselves so that other nations will respect you. We must practise Ubuntu," the King said.

His intervention came just a day after an informal meeting with Cyril Ramaphosa on Monday.The Presidency has not disclosed what was discussed during their meeting.

Later that day, Ramaphosa also met with community figures Phakel'umthakathi and Ngizwe Mchunu, amid growing public debate over immigration and border security.

The King's comments have drawn support from cultural historian Professor Musa Xulu, who said the monarch's remarks reflected well-established historical realities about the origins of many communities within the broader Zulu nation.

"What the King is saying is historically accurate. Many of these people originally come from different areas such as Nongoma, Skhawini, St Lucia, Libombo, Obonjeni to name a few. During the upheavals of the Mfecane, they migrated and settled across Africa. When King Misuzulu was installed in 2022, Kings and traditional leaders from these neighbouring Kingdoms attended his coronation. That shared history reflects what we refer to as the African Renaissance. We welcome the King's recognition and acknowledgement of these historical ties,” said Xulu.

His endorsement highlights themes of reconciliation and continental unity, positioning the King’s words as a call to move beyond division. King's Spokesperson, Prince Thulani Zulu was approached for comment and he said he was not in a position to comment at this time

"I am not in a position to comment for now," he said.