Sad Note: King Goodwill Zwelithini Passes Away
Sad Note: Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini Passes Away. It is a sad day in South Africa as the nation mourns the loss of yet another influential person. Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini has sadly passed away. Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi announced that the king died in the early hours of this morning.
According to the statement released by the IFP founder and traditional prime minister to the Zulu monarch, King Zwelithini has been in hospital where his health recently took a turn for the worst. He was receiving medical care for high glucose levels. The Zulu Royal Family has thanked the nation for its continued prayers and support.
The sad news comes just four months after his eldest son Prince Lethukuthula Zulu whom he shares with Queen Sibongile MaDlamini passed away. The 50-year-old prince was found dead by security guards at his Northworld home in November 2020. Five suspects, four women aged between 27 and 42 as well as a 32-year-old man were then arrested for his murder. Suspected stolen goods belonging to the Prince were also found at the homes of the suspects.
King Zwelithini, was born on the 14 July 1948 in Nongoma, northern KwaZulu-Natal. He is the eldest son of King Cyprian Bhekuzulu and his second wife Queen Thomo. After the death of his father in 1968, King Zwelithini was appointed to the throne as a 20-year-old student. However, he was not crowned until 1971 because he had to go into hiding outside the kingdom following a plot to have him killed.
Messages of condolences have been pouring in since the sad news broke out this morning. The likes of President Cyril Ramaphosa, Minister of Transport Fikile Mbalula, former DA leader Mmusi Maimane, EFF’s Mbuyiseni Ndlozi former Public Protector Professor Thuli Madonsela and former mayor Herman Mashaba joined the distraught mourners who are paying tribute to the late King.
