KZN Premier marks one year since King Goodwill Zwelithini’s passing

KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Premier Sihle Zikalala has remembered the late monarch of the Zulu nation, King Goodwill Zwelithini, as the one year anniversary of his passing approaches.

King Zwelithini died on 12 March 2021 at the age of 72, after being ill for some time. The king’s passing unleashed a web of drama in the Zulu royal household, starting with the announcement of Prince MisuZulu as his successor.

All this comes just days after a court delivered judgement on a legal battle spearheaded by King Zwelithini’s first wife Queen Sibongile MaDlamini, who had wanted half of his estate, claiming she was the only legitimate wife.

Speaking on Sunday, Zikalala said the Zulu nation was very much still in pain because of the king’s death.

“We gather today in the month of March, which is one the most painful in the history of the Zulu Nation as it marks exactly a year since the demise of His Majesty Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu on 12 March 2021. This is a week that reminds us that we are still a nation in pain. Because of the role the late His Majesty had occupied as the father and unifier of the nation, we had not imagined life without him,” he said.

KZN PREMIER REMEMBERS KING GOODWILL ZWELITHINI

Sihle Zikalala says as they mark a year since King Goodwill Zwelithini died, they have a responsibility to pick up the spear, and march on and build a better KwaZulu-Natal.

Zikalala says as government, they remain ready to be guided by the people of KZN and the Zulu royal family, in playing a supportive role to ensure that the king’s legacy lives on and is a success.

“Our programme this year is to intensify the work of healing our communities from the scars of both the Covid-19, the July unrest and indeed the passing of His Majesty Zwelithini ka Bhekuzulu and Her Majesty Regent Queen Mantfombi. We ask that everyone put our Royal Family and the nation in prayer as we remember His Majesty King Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuZulu”

KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Premier Sihle Zikalala

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