Princess Thembi Zulu-Ndlovu

The late Senior AmaZulu Princess, Thembi Zulu-Ndlovu.
Photo: Facebook/KZN Government

King Goodwill Zwelithini’s sister Princess Thembi Zulu-Ndlovu dies

The late King Goodwill Zwelithini’s half-sister, Princess Thembi Zulu-Ndlovu passed away at a hospital in KZN on Friday.

Princess Thembi Zulu-Ndlovu

The late Senior AmaZulu Princess, Thembi Zulu-Ndlovu.
Photo: Facebook/KZN Government

The late AmaZulu King Goodwill Zwelithini’s sister, Princess Thembi Zulu-Ndlovu has passed away.

Zulu-Ndlovu was rushed to hospital on Friday morning and passed away later on the same day. 

WHO WAS PRINCESS THEMBI ZULU-NDLOVU? 

Princess Thembi Zulu-Ndlovu was half-sister to the late AmaZulu king. She and her brother Prince Mbonisi Zulu were amongst the ones opposing the kingship of king-elect Misuzulu kaZwelithini. 

They wanted King Goodwill Zwelithini’s first born son, Prince Smakade to be the next AmaZulu King. They later  became known as royal rebels. 

The wheelchair-bound Princess was sickly as she had been in and out of hospital.

During the memorial service of the late King, Zulu-Ndlovu raised eyebrows when she said only God knows who the next King of the AmaZulu nation will be.

Princess Thembi and Prince Mbonisi previously accused Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi of excluding them in key family discussions and creating divisions in the Zulu royal household. 

This was just a fraction of the drama that unfolded following the passing of Queen Mantfombi Dlamini Zulu, the Regent of the Zulu nation and King Goodwill Zwelithini. 

King-elect Misuzulu kaZwelithini’s spokesperson, Prince Africa Zulu said as the Zulu Royal Family they are very saddened by the passing.

Zulu said despite the ongoing battle for the throne the late Princess is still a member of the royal family.

“Let us remember her as a royal family member and not a rebel. 

“She was very brave and stood up for what she believed in, whether that was right or wrong it’s a story for another day.”

Prince Africa Zulu

Many were hopeful that the family was sorting their issues out when Zulu-Ndlovu attended Ntokozo Mayisela’s Umembeso last week.

The late king’s wives were also present in the ceremony held in New Castle.

ALSO READ: King Misuzulu kaZwelithini likely to be coronated on 28 May 2022