Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini Dies
IFP founder and traditional prime minister to the Zulu monarch, Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi, confirmed the tragic news in a statement issued on Friday morning, iHarare has learnt.
“It is with the utmost grief that I inform the nation of the passing of His Majesty King Goodwill Zwelithini ka Bhekuzulu, King of the Zulu Nation.
“Tragically, while still in hospital, His Majesty’s health took a turn for the worse and he subsequently passed away in the early hours of this morning.”
Buthelezi said the Royal Family thanked the nation for “your continued prayers and support in this most difficult time. May His Majesty our King rest in peace.”
Condolence messages from all over South Africa and the world trickled in after news of Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini’s death.
His Majesty King Goodwill Zwelithini Ka Bhekuzulu has passed away. #RIPKingZwelithini pic.twitter.com/Par9CDJK4b
— Mbuyiseni Ndlozi (@MbuyiseniNdlozi) March 12, 2021
Last Friday Buthelezi said the king was progressing in hospital.
He was admitted to ICU in a private hospital last month after “several unstable glucose readings”
I’m deeply saddened by the passing of King Goodwill Zwelithini.
I had the honour of knowing the King, and recall a visit he paid to my factory when I was a younger entrepreneur. I admired him greatly.
My condolences to his family, and the Zulu Nation.
May he rest in peace 🕯 pic.twitter.com/O1lW4d0YyH
— Herman Mashaba (@HermanMashaba) March 12, 2021
The Zulu King King was in hospital since February and regular updates from the mornachy had suggested that he was getting better.
As the constitutional monarch of the kingdom of KwaZulu-Natal, he is head of the Ubukhosi, the state-recognized institution of Traditional Leadership that consists of local chiefs.
His leadership role also entails chairmanship of the Usuthu Tribal Authority and Nongoma Regional Authority, both established under the provisions of the KwaZulu Amakhosi and Iziphakanyiswa Act.