The Zulu people expressed a final goodbye to their king on Thursday, March 18, after his 50-year reign. Gathered near the monarch’s palace in Nongoma in the eastern part of the Kwazulu-Natal region, hundreds of people, political representatives and traditional leaders attended a closing national tribute ceremony to commemorate King Goodwill Zwelithini, “planted” on the ground last night according to Zulu tradition. A powerless but highly respected king and guardian of the Zulu tradition
as reported from Johannesburg, Claire Bargelès
The dances of warriors dressed in their animal skins and armed with their traditional shields accompany the procession. By their side, young women with pearl skirts encourage them with their songs.
Then President Cyril Ramaphosa spoke under a tent in English and Zulu and remained vague at the king’s death officially due to diabetes, but according to relatives linked to coronavirus.
“It is a difficult day because a large tree has fallen. After a long struggle, our beloved leader succumbed to this deadly disease that cost so many lives, ”said President Ramaphosa.
A ceremony that could be watched on all televisions, as the national electricity company had even suspended its burden in order not to deprive anyone of this last tribute.
The 8th king of the “people of heaven” will have known how to preserve culture and traditions, and use the weight of his words, according to the politician and Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi.
“He knew how to speak without fear or complacency. Our king led the fight against HIV and AIDS. And I, who ape a son in this battle, I am proud of this brave condition “, declared Prince Butelezi
But the word Goodwill Zwelithini has been widely criticized on other occasions when he made violent remarks against homosexuals or migrants.
Discussions are now underway to select his successor, while the eldest of his 28 children was murdered last November.
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