IN PICTURES | Remembering King Goodwill Zwelithini ka Bhekuzulu
Tributes have poured in following the death of His Majesty King Goodwill Zwelithini ka Bhekuzulu, king of the Zulu nation on Friday.
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King Goodwill Zwelithini at KIng Shaka Day Commemoration Ceremony at KwaDukuza on 24/09/2005
(Thembinkosi Dwayisa)
FILE IMAGE: One of King Goodwill Zwelithini’s daughters, Princess Sinethemba Zulu, hands a reed to her father at the Zulu Royal Reed Dance which took place at the Enyonkeni Royal Palace in Nongoma. (Mark Wing)
A young King Goodwill Zwelithini Zulu on 11/12/1971 (Sunday Times)
Former president Nelson Mandela, King Goodwill Zwelithini Zulu and Steve Tswete during the African Cup of Nations (CAF) finals - South Africa v/s Tunisia in Johannesburg. - 03/02/1996 (Jon Hrusa)
King Goodwill KaBhekuZulu salutes during the official opening of the KZN legislature held at Pietermaritzburg Royal Show Grounds. Circa February 2009. (Siyabonga Mosunkutu)
Tributes have poured in following the death of His Majesty King Goodwill Zwelithini ka Bhekuzulu, king of the Zulu nation on Friday.
King Zwelithini died on Friday, the royal family said in a statement. He was 72. The king had been hospitalised in a KwaZulu-Natal hospital for diabetes treatment.
“This sad news comes 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," President Cyril Ramaphosa said through a statement.
“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.”
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President Cyril Ramaphosa with His Majesty the King Goodwill Zwelithini attended the 2018 National Prayer Day. - 25/11/2018 (Jairus Mmutle/GCIS)
Deputy President David Mabuza and His Majesty King Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu during the annual January Pilgrimage of the Nazareth Baptist Church, Ebuhleni, Inanda, KwaZulu-Natal today, 19 January 2019. ( Kopano Tlape GCIS)
King Goodwill Zwelithini, Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi and KZN premier Sihle Zikalala sing with the warriors at the commemoration of King Shaka at Stanger High School fields in KwaDukuza. (SANDILE NDLOVU)
King Goodwill Zwelithini Zulu at his royal house Enyokeni in KwaNongoma, Northern KwaZulu Natal during Umkhosi Womhlanga (Reedance). (SANDILE NDLOVU)
Zulu monarch King Goodwill Zwelithini spoke out against comprehensive sexuality education at the KZN legislature (Sandile Ndlovu)
Maidens listening to King Goodwill Zwelithini speak during the Reed Festival, 5 September 2015. : (Rogan Ward)
Despite his aristocratic bearing, the king was known to be at home with ordinary people. He was reportedly in the habit of driving himself in the countryside without bodyguards.
During these drives he would offer common folk a lift, much to their surprise. In his fatherly manner he would initiate a conversation on basic and mundane subjects such as the weather or the welfare of their fellow villagers. And while it is taboo for most royals to shake hands with commoners, the king broke with this tradition as he insisted on this form of greeting.
Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini will be laid to rest on Wednesday night by male members of the royal family.
This was announced by his siblings, Prince Mbonisi and Princess Thembi Zulu at the royal palace in Nongoma. A memorial service will be held on Thursday – the day that had been set aside as the official state funeral.
July 26, 2014. The late Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, King Goodwill Zwelithini and Former President Jacob Zuma at the wedding of the King to Queen Zola Mafu. (TEBOGO LETSIE)
King Goodwill Zwelithini at a celebration of his 40 years as reigning monarch of the Zulu nation. - 27/08/2011 (Jackie Clausen)
Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi and President Jacob Zuma supporting King Goodwill Zwelithini during his wedding to Swazi Princess Zola Mafu in Ulundi. - July 26,2014. (Thulani Mbele)
Mangosuthu Buthelezi seated next to King Goodwill Zwelithini at a celebration of the King's 40 years as reigning monarch of the Zulu nation. (Jackie Clausen)
Minister Zweli Mkhize, Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini and Peggy Nkonyeni present a united front. - 22/02/2011. (TEBOGO LETSIE)
The provincial government said it had cancelled all activities planned for the day as the nation mourned the passing of the king. Premier Sihle Zikalala will hold a media briefing this afternoon. Politicians and South Africans flocked to social media to convey their condolence messages.
UDM leader Bantu Holomisa said the Zulu monarch played a vital role in raising awareness about HIV/Aids in SA.
“I will remember him as a very neat and fastidious person, who enjoyed dressing well. The UDM expresses its condolences to his wives, children, grandchildren and the entire Zulu nation.”
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King Goodwill Zwelithini having a braai. Circa October 1972. (Sunday Times)
King Goodwill Zwelithini Zulu, reading a Sunday paper. Circa September 1972 (Sunday Times)
King Goodwill Zwelithini Zulu with wife no.4 Queen Thandekile at their wedding day. Circa 1988. (Terry Van der Walt)
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