The longest-serving Zulu King in South Africa, Goodwill Zwelithini has died. He died at the age of 72 after suffering from diabetes.
The death of Goodwill Zwelithini was confirmed by his cousin, Mangosuthu Buthelezi in a statement on Friday 12th March 2021. The King was rumoured to have been suffering from diabetes and has been on hospital admission since February.
The statement from Mangosuthu Buthelezi reads:
“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,” the statement read.
The king was admitted to an intensive care unit for diabetes treatment in a KwaZulu-Natal hospital last month, according to local media.
King Goodwill Zwelithini was a direct descendent of King Cetshwayo, who led the Zulu nation during the war with the British in 1879.
Throughout his 50 years reign he was a strong advocate for preserving cultural identity.
As custodian of Zulu traditions and customs, he revived many cultural practices including Umhlanga, also known as the Reed Dance ceremony. Seen by some as patriarchal, the ceremony is said to be aimed at celebrating virginity among girls and young women and raising awareness about HIV/Aids in a province with some of the highest rates of infection.
South Africa’s president has described him as a “much-loved visionary”.
He will be remembered as a straight-talker, at times to the ire of some.
He was on occasion critical of the governing African National Congress (ANC), accusing it of mishandling the country.
In 2015, he controversially said foreign nationals must pack up and return to their countries – at the time his comments were blamed for fuelling attacks against foreigners in his province.
The king later said the comments had been taken out of context and described the attacks as “vile”.
The late King was named successor to the throne at just 20 years old in 1968. But was not crowned until 1971 because he went into hiding after receiving death threats.
His role was ceremonial but still hugely influential.
Reigned as king of the Zulu nation for five decades, leaves behind six wives and 28 children.
President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa, reacting to the sad news, said he is deeply saddened by the news of the passing of Isilo Samabandla, King Goodwill Zwelithini KaBhekuzulu.
“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,” the President said.
The President has offered his sympathies and prayers to the Royal Family, to the Zulu nation, and to the people of KwaZulu-Natal and beyond – for whom the Ingonyama was an important symbol of history, culture and heritage.
“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.”