“King Zwelithini played a significant role in the achievement of democracy and will be remembered for his role as a bridge-builder in bringing peace and stability to KwaZulu-Natal during the difficult times our country went through. The passing away of Isilo Samabandla Onke has been met with grief and sorrow throughout our land.’’– President Cyril Ramaphosa, delivering the eulogy at KwaKhethomthandayo Royal Palace on Thursday in Nongoma, KZN.
A sombre hour of grief as a princess attends a royal funeral fit for a king
Glowing tributes and tears embellishes the journey’s end of Africa’s longest-serving and popular servant-king…
DEEP REGAL GRIEF: South African-born Princess Charlene (née Wittstock) of Monaco cuts a striking profile, dressed in black, as her heart bleeds over the loss of her friend and fellow royalty King Goodwill Zwelithini ka Bhekuzulu at the monarch’s globally publicised memorial ceremony in Nongoma on Thursday. Photo: Supplied
King Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu: 14 July 1948-12 March 2021
DURBAN DATELINE: IT was almost an opening speech of the traditional “All Protocols Observed’’ when President Cyril Ramaphosa realised that South African-born Serene Princess Charlene of Monaco was in the VIP audience of mourners at the government’s memorial ceremony for King Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu, who tragically lost his life through chronic diabetes and Covid-19 related complications a fortnight ago.
The media were surprised to see Princess Monaco, dressed in traditional black dress with matching head scarf, black face mask, and a lace veil and seated near President Ramaphosa and other mourners and members of the Zulu Royal Household of six wives and 67 children.
The Princess of Monaco was captured mourning next to a colour montage photograph of the monarch, who reigned over KwaZulu-Natal and is mourned by his 11-million isiZulu-speaking subjects. He was 72 when his half-century reign ended as a profound warning that coronavirus poses a serious threat to all of us. The 43-year-old former Olympic swimmer married Prince Albert II of Monaco, a tiny European nation that was among the countries that conveyed condolences of the passing away of Isilo Samabandla Onke. She and the king have been good friends since her royal status and is the only one of Europe’s royals to have paid her last respects to the king in person. President Ramaphosa delivered a moving eulogy at the KwaKhethomthandayo Royal Palace, Nongoma, KwaZulu-Natal, on Thursday – thereafter receiving the SA flag from the SANDF and handing it over to one of the king’s widows – USA-style. Hailed and regaled for his humility as a hallmark – even by SADC neighbouring kingdoms, the monarch’s death drew condolences from around the world:
• Countries of the UN and others have joined the South African people in paying tribute to King Goodwill Zwelithini.
• In Africa, King Zwelithini was particularly remembered for his humility by the neighbouring kingdoms.
• UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres: “Condolences to the people of South Africa, the royal family and the government.’’
