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Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini.
- Zulu monarch Goodwill Zwelithini, who suffered from diabetes, succumbed to complications related to Covid-19.
- This came up in a SABC News radio interview with Prince mangosuthu Buthelezi on Friday.
- Due to the Covid-19 measures, Zwelithini’s body will not remain in state, as has been the tradition with the monarchs.
Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini, who was suffering from diabetes, succumbed to Covid-19-related complications at the hospital, Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi said during a radio interview on Friday.
In an interview on SABC Ukhozi FM radio station, Buthelezi said the king died from complications related to the virus.
“I want to emphasize to the Zulu nation that although we are devastated, we must not forget that the king died during such a difficult time, during Covid-19. And when he entered the hospital he was taken for this death, even Queen Mandlovu was taken” said Buthelezi, who is the traditional prime minister of the monarchy.
Zwelithini, 72, had been hospitalized for weeks after his blood glucose level became unstable.
Buthelezi had first announced in early February that the monarch had frequented the hospital for treatment. He was then admitted to the ICU in early February when the unstable glucose level persisted.
READ ALSO | Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini has died
The king died in hospital on Friday.
The KwaZulu-Natal government suspended its activities for a week to allow the duel. President Cyril Ramaphosa declared a special category 1 official funeral for the late king, who ruled the Zulu monarchy since 1971.
The body of the king will not rest in a state
In a statement Saturday, Buthelezi said that due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the funeral will not be open for everyone to attend. He said Zwelithini’s remains will not be in a state for the public to see, as has been the tradition in the monarchy.
“Unfortunately, however, we are faced with the reality that South Africa and the world remain in the grip of a deadly pandemic. Existing national regulations, which restrict the number of people who can gather, cannot be violated, not even in a time of extraordinary anguish.
He added:
It would be inconceivable to allow Her Majesty’s passing to become the cause of more deaths among Her Majesty’s people. Therefore, it was necessary to make the difficult decision so that the late king did not [lay] in state.
“I therefore appeal, on behalf of the family, that the mourners do not travel to Nongoma to pay their respects. It is vital that we prevent crowds from building up at this time as this would put lives at risk.” Buthelezi said. .
People lined up at the royal house in Nongoma on Saturday, hoping to pay their respects.
“The royal house itself is numbered in excess of what would be allowed in terms of regulations. Therefore, it is essential to make it clear to people that the funeral will not be open for everyone to attend. As a special official funeral, it will be broadcast. live so that the nation can honor His Majesty from their homes. We ask, with all due respect, that the mourners stay home and take this time to pray, “added Buthelezi.
Zwelithini, whose rule lasted nearly 50 years, was the longest-serving Zulu king.
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