The recent death of the Zulu king Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu has thrown South Africa into mourning.
To honour the revered leader, President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced a special official category 1 funeral for the late AmaZulu king. In honour of the late king, South Africa’s national flag will fly at half mast from today Saturday 13 March to the evening of the funeral.
Preparations are already ongoing for the funeral. The Zulu royal family has already met today Saturday to discuss preparations for the burial of the late King.
Following the meeting, the royal family has revealed that King Goodwill Zwelithini will no longer be lying in state as earlier planned, due to restrictions provoked by the coronavirus pandemic.
The recent change in burial plans was announced by the traditional prime minister to the late monarch, Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi. The prince stated that with the world still in the grip of a deadly pandemic, and with the restrictions in place as a result, the royal family had do ditch plans of a lying in state, which would have led to many people gathering to see the monarch for the last time.
The royal family is determined the late king’s funeral should not become a spreader of the coronavirus. By the way, mourns have been pouring into the late king’s palace to pay him homage.
King Goodwill Zwelithini was 72 at the time of his death on Friday from COVID-19 related complications. He was also reportedly battling diabetes and was at a Durban hospital for about a month before his death.
Care to know the rituals and customs governing the late king’s burial as well as highlights of the late king’s reign? You may want to check out the accompanying videos and join the conversation by dropping your thoughts in the comment section below.
