Fri 12 March 2021:
Goodwill Zwelithini, the king of South Africa’s Zulus, has died at the age of 72 after spending weeks in hospital for diabetes treatment, his palace announced.
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.
The king was admitted to hospital last month for diabetes.
“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 said.
“On behalf of the Royal Family, we thank the nation for your continued prayers and support in this most difficult time.”
Born in Nongoma, a small town in the southeastern 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.
FOLLOW INDEPENDENT PRESS:
TWITTER (CLICK HERE)
https://twitter.com/IpIndependent
FACEBOOK (CLICK HERE)
https://web.facebook.com/ipindependent
Think your friends would be interested? Share this story!