Government of Mvulaland

The politics of Mvulaland take place in the framework of a constitutional monarchy and parliamentary democracy. The King, currently Nkosinathi III, is the head of state and commander in chief of the military. The Chief Counsellor, currently Shayinyoka Zwane, is the head of government and the leader of a multipartty democracy. A bicameral Parliament forms the law making branch. The judicial system, at the helm of which is the Supreme Court interprets and enforces the law, with the Constitution of Mvulaland being the highest of all.

Monarchy

The monarch is the King. The monarch is a constitutional monarch. He is bound by the laws and Constitution of the land. The Crown is a corporation sole which is the legal personality of the state, as such, possesses judicial, legislative and executive power, but the Constitution grants the monarch the right to wield only a small portion of these powers (called royal prerogatives). He has the power to veto laws (subject to an override). He has the power to appoint the government and the judiciary. He has the power to exercise supreme command and direction of the armed forces, to make war and to make peace. He has the power to forgive and erase crimes and to confer honour and to appoint and receive ambassadors. He represents the country, and has the right to warn, be informed and to praise. He has important ceremonial duties such as presiding over the Reed Dance or the Tasting of the First Fruits.

Succession happens according to male primogeniture. The King's male children, male siblings, uncles and male first cousins (in that order) form the line of succession should the king die or abdicate. The heir apparent is the Crown Prince, Vikumuzi, the King's son (aged 10). The coronation features animal sacrifice, a cleansing ritual, ukuchatamiswa with the ancestors and a presentation of the royal regalia (leopard skin, a porcupine quill crown, a knobkierie and an assegai). The King exits the throne by death or abdication, while during incapacitation the regent rules. If the Crown Prince is too young, the Council of the House of Mvula, will appoint a regent.

The current King is Nkosinathi III. He has 3 wives and 8 children, 3 sons and two daughters. He succeeded the throne after his father, the late Nkosinathi II passed away. He was initiated at the age of 16, whereupon he became an adult. He was a Captain in the Army of Mvulaland, where he was deployed to the border during a time of cross boarder raids and skirmishes with a neighbouring country. After 6 years in the military, he studied and received degrees in Mathematics from the University of Nongoma. He is 37 years old. He speaks IsiMvula and Codexian (to a lesser extent). He receives an annual stipend of 200,000 dollars and lives at the official residence Kiwanelihle Palace in Nongoma Palace.

Executive

The government is appointed solely by the King. It is made up of a council of senior ministers called the Roundtable which is regarded as a committee of the larger (and to a great extent advisory) Privy Council. The Roundtable as a whole executes laws and develops policy. Individual members (who are called Counsellors) oversee departments. There are six Counsellors: Defence, Finance and the Economy, Food and the Environment, Development (Infrastructure), Social Affairs (Health and Welfare), and Education (incl. Science, Sport and Culture).

The Chief Counsellor is the leader of this body. He chairs the meetings, issues instructions and has the final say on many matters. The current Chief Counselor, Shayinyoka Zwane, is an aristocratic with a fairly strong relationship with the majority party. He is not a member of any party (as aristocrats are forbidden from entering political parties).

Legislature

The law making body is made up of a bicameral parliament. It is made up of two Houses: Chiefs and Representatives. The House of Chiefs is made up of the 20 chiefs. The House of Representatives has 100 members elected through party list proportional representation.

The Houses are equal in almost all matters. A law needs a majority in both houses to become law. The houses do not sit or deliberate together except during the Speech from the Throne. The