Skip links

Skip to Content
play

Live

Navigation menu

  • News
    • Middle East
    • Africa
    • Asia
    • US & Canada
    • Latin America
    • Europe
    • Asia Pacific
  • Ukraine war
  • Features
  • Economy
  • Opinion
  • Video
    • Coronavirus
    • Climate Crisis
    • Investigations
    • Interactives
    • In Pictures
    • Science & Technology
    • Sports
    • Podcasts
play

Live

In Pictures

Gallery

South Africa’s Zulu king is laid to rest

King Zwelithini was a proponent of traditional Zulu customs and the most influential of South African traditional leaders.

King Goodwill Zwelithini was buried in a traditional ceremony [Darren Stewart/Getty Images]
Published On 18 Mar 202118 Mar 2021
facebooktwitterwhatsapp

The traditional leader of South Africa’s 12 million Zulu people, King Goodwill Zwelithini, has been laid to rest in a private ceremony on Thursday.

Zwelithini, 72, died from health problems related to diabetes last Friday and he was buried in a traditional ceremony known as “ukutshalwa kweNkosi”, which is attended by only senior men of the royal family, many wearing leopard skins and colourful Zulu regalia.

Reigning for more than 50 years, Zwelithini was the longest-serving monarch of the Zulu nation, the largest ethnic group of South Africa’s 60 million people. The KwaZulu-Natal province is where most of the country’s Zulus live.

Historically, the Zulu nation gave early resistance to British colonialism under the leadership of King Shaka Zulu from 1816 to 1828.

Zwelithini was a proponent of traditional Zulu customs and the most influential of South African traditional leaders, who do not hold political office but have considerable influence, especially among South Africa’s rural people. He is credited with speaking openly to encourage public education to control the HIV/AIDS epidemic that was sweeping through South Africa in the 1980s and 90s.

After Zwelithini’s burial, President Cyril Ramaphosa was among the speakers at a memorial service who praised the king.

“It was during his reign that the Zulu nation achieved harmony and peace. It was during the course of his reign that his people alongside all the people of our country realised the dream of freedom from the injustices of colonialism and apartheid,” said Ramaphosa.

Others attending the memorial included former President Jacob Zuma, who is Zulu, and Princess Charlene of Monaco, who is from South Africa.

Burial procession before the funeral for the late King Goodwill Zwelithini to his KwaKhethomthandayo Palace. [Darren Stewart/Getty Images]
Advertisement
Mourners reportedly flocked to the royal palace to pay their last respects to the king. [Darren Stewart/Getty Images]
The leader of South Africa's largest ethnic group, who died of illness last week, was laid to rest on Thursday. [Darren Stewart/Getty Images]
Reigning for more than 50 years, Zwelithini was the longest-serving monarch of the Zulu nation. [Darren Stewart/Getty Images]
Amabutho (Zulu regiments) make their way to the mortuary to receive the body of King Goodwill Zwelithini. [Phill Magakoe/AFP]
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa described King Goodwill Zwelithini, as a 'staunch defender of his people' who 'valued diversity' and respected other cultures. [Phill Magakoe/AFP]
Advertisement
A woman leads Zulu maidens in dance during the memorial of King Goodwill Zwelithini at the KwaKhethomthandayo Royal Palace. [Phill Magakoe/Reuters]
A member of the royal family looks on during the memorial service of King Goodwill Zwelithini. [Phill Magakoe/AFP]
King Goodwill Zwelithini's wives mourn during his memorial service. [Phill Magakoe/Reuters]
Charlene, princess of Monaco, attends the memorial service for Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini. [Phill Magakoe/Reuters]


    • About Us
    • Code of Ethics
    • Terms and Conditions
    • EU/EEA Regulatory Notice
    • Privacy Policy
    • Cookie Policy
    • Cookie Preferences
    • Sitemap
    • Community Guidelines
    • Work for us
    • HR Quality
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise with us
    • Apps
    • Channel Finder
    • TV Schedule
    • Podcasts
    • Submit a Tip
    • Al Jazeera Arabic
    • Al Jazeera English
    • Al Jazeera Investigative Unit
    • Al Jazeera Mubasher
    • Al Jazeera Documentary
    • Al Jazeera Balkans
    • AJ+
    • Al Jazeera Centre for Studies
    • Al Jazeera Media Institute
    • Learn Arabic
    • Al Jazeera Centre for Public Liberties & Human Rights
    • Al Jazeera Forum
    • Al Jazeera Hotel Partners

Follow Al Jazeera English:

  • facebook
  • twitter
  • youtube
  • instagram-colored-outline
  • rss
Al Jazeera Media Network logo
© 2022 Al Jazeera Media Network