Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini Confirmed Dead At 72

Zulu King, King Goodwill Zwelithini (72) has passed away. The royal house confirmed in a statement released this morning that King Zwelithini was admitted to hospital last week

King Zwelithini had been in hospital for weeks for what was initially reported to be a problem with his blood glucose levels. However, his health took a turn for the worst and he passed away in the early hours of Friday morning.

The Royal Gamily went on to thank South Africans for their prayers and support during his illness.

“On behalf of the Royal Family, we thank the nation for your continued prayers and support in this most difficult time,” the statement read.

King Zwelithini will be remembered as the longest serving monarch of the Zulu Kingdom, with a reign spanning over five decades.

Born on the 14 July 1948 in Nongoma, northern KwaZulu-Natal – he’s the eldest son of King Cyprian Bhekuzulu and his second wife Queen Thomo.

Following his father’s passing in 1968, King Zwelithini was appointed to the throne – he was just a 20-year-old student at the time. But, he was not crowned until 1971 – because he had to go into hiding outside the kingdom following a plot to have him killed.

Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi MP, Inkosi of the Buthelezi clan and traditional Prime Minister to the Zulu monarch and nation, announced the news of the passing of Isilo Samabandla, King Goodwill Zwelithini KaBhekuzulu earlier today.