King Goodwill Zwelithini has died
King Goodwill Zwelithini of the Zulu nation has died.
IFP founder and traditional prime minister to
the Zulu monarch, Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi, confirmed the tragic news in a
statement issued on Friday morning.
“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.”
Last Friday, Buthelezi said the king was making
progress in hospital.
He was admitted to the intensive care unit in a
private hospital last month after “several unstable glucose readings”.
President Cyril Ramaphosa said he is saddened
by the news of the passing.
“This sad news come at a time when we had all
been hopeful that His Majesty was recovering well in hospital where he had been
over the past few weeks.’’
“His Majesty will be remembered as a
much-loved, visionary monarch who made an important contribution to cultural
identity, national unity and economic development in KwaZulu-Natal and through
this, to the development of our country as a whole,” the President added.
Picture: Goodwill ZwelithiniDone By: Mitchum George
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