The Zulu nation was greeted this morning (Friday) with the sad news about the unexpected passing away of the Zulu Regent, Mantfombi Dlamini-Zulu, 65, on Thursday night.
The late queen was the King’s third wife and was appointed as the Regent of the Zulu nation on 24 March after her husband, King Zwelithini KaBhekuzulu died. Announcing her death, traditional prime minister Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi said in a statement that the passing of the queen had taken the family by surprise and they are “utterly bereft”. “It is with the deepest shock and distress that the Royal Family announces the unexpected passing of Her Majesty Queen Shiyiwe Mantfombi Dlamini Zulu, Regent of the Zulu Nation. On behalf of the Royal Family, I wish to assure the nation that while we are all rightly grief stricken, there will be no leadership vacuum in the Zulu nation,” said Buthelezi. Prince Buthelezi said further announcements on the Regent’s funeral arrangements will be made in due course. Earlier this week, it was reported that the Queen had been admitted to hospital. Details around her illness or state of health following the admission had not been made public.
