AmaZulu King Goodwill Zwelithini (pictured above) has
died.
The news was confirmed in a statement from the royal house
on Friday morning.
King Zwelithini had been in hospital for weeks for what was
initially reported to be a problem with his blood glucose levels.
The royal house said his health took a turn for the worst
and he passed away in the early hours of Friday morning.
They've also thanked South Africans for their prayers and
support during his illness.
"On behalf of the Royal Family, we thank the nation
for your continued prayers and support in this most difficult time," the
statement read.
He was 72 years old.
King Zwelithini made history as the longest serving monarch
of the Zulu Kingdom - with a reign spanning over five decades.
Born on the 14 July 1948 in Nongoma, northern KwaZulu-Natal
– he’s the eldest son of King Cyprian Bhekuzulu and his second wife Queen
Thomo.
Following his father’s passing in 1968, King Zwelithini was
appointed to the throne – he was just a 20-year-old student at the time.
But – he was not crowned until 1971 - because he had to go
into hiding outside the kingdom following a plot to have him killed.
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