King Goodwill Zwelithini passes away
In a statement, Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi said the king passed away in hospital.
King Goodwill Zwelithini, monarch of the Zulu nation, has passed away.
In a statement, Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi said the king passed away in hospital.
The king has been battling ill health for some time and was hospitalised earleir in teh year for erratic blood glocuse levles.
"His Majesty’s health took a turn for the worse and he subsequently passed away in the early hours of this morning," said Buthelezi in a statement on Friday morning.
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"On behalf of the Royal Family, we thank the nation for your continued prayers and support in this most difficult time."
The king wielded great influence among millions of Zulus through his largely ceremonial and spiritual role despite having no official power in modern South Africa.
Born in Nongoma, a small town in the south-eastern Kwa-Zulu Natal province, Zwelithini ascended the throne in 1971 during the apartheid era at the age of 23, three years after the death of his father.
Additional reporting by AFP.
His Majesty King Goodwill Zwelithini Ka Bhekuzulu has passed away. #RIPKingZwelithini pic.twitter.com/Par9CDJK4b
— Mbuyiseni Ndlozi (@MbuyiseniNdlozi) March 12, 2021
I’m deeply saddened by the passing of King Goodwill Zwelithini.
— Herman Mashaba (@HermanMashaba) March 12, 2021
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
Inkosi ikhotheme, Farewell my King🕊️🕊️🕊️🕊️🕊️
— Emmanuel Zitha (@emmah_zithah) March 12, 2021
King Goodwill Zwelithini pic.twitter.com/bxcoip3d3m