African Royal Women Turn Leadership Into Community Power, Zulu Princess Nikki Buthelezi Says
African Royal Women Turn Leadership Into Community Power, Zulu Princess Nikki Buthelezi Says
“Leadership in Africa has always been rooted in responsibility, not privilege,” she told Sputnik Africa, stressing that when royal women invest locally, they help “restore dignity, identity, and self-belief.”
She explained that her work focuses on practical, community-based initiatives, including supporting women-owned businesses with training, access to finance, and links to local and regional markets.
“These initiatives are designed to tackle structural barriers at their roots,” she noted.
Princess Buthelezi also emphasized the importance of traditional leadership in development:
“African traditional structures can amplify community development.” She added that trusted local authority helps ensure community ownership and long-term sustainability.
She highlighted success stories in sectors such as catering, crafts, tourism, and childcare, where women reinvested profits to formalize businesses, create jobs, and preserve cultural heritage.
She also called for South Africa and other SADC countries to better support women-led and community-based projects, saying they should be recognized as real partners in development and included in planning, funding, and economic programs.
How are royal woman counter Western driven narratives around African gender dynamics and leadership? Find out in the video.
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