Tributes: Cyril Ramaphosa hoped Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini would recover
President Cyril Ramaphosa and the KwaZulu-Natal government have expressed their shock at the passing of Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini.
IFP leader Mangosuthu Buthelezi said the king died in hospital in the early hours of Friday morning.
Ramaphosa said the news was unexpected as he hoped the king would recover after his recent spell of ill health in hospital.
βHis majesty will be remembered as a much-loved, visionary monarch who made an important contribution to cultural identity, national unity and economic development in KwaZulu-Natal and, through this, to the development of our country as a whole,β said Ramaphosa.
The provincial government said it had cancelled all activities planned for the day as the nation mourned the passing of the king. Premier Sihle Zikalala will hold a media briefing this afternoon.
Politicians and South Africans flocked to social media to convey their condolence messages. UDM leader Bantu Holomisa said the Zulu monarch played a vital role in raising awareness about HIV/Aids in SA.
βI will remember him as a very neat and fastidious person, who enjoyed dressing well. The UDM expresses its condolences to his wives, children, grandchildren and the entire Zulu nation.β
Here are some of the tributes shared on social media:
RIP KING GOODWILL ZWELITHINI π
— Khaya Mthethwa (@khayamthethwa) March 12, 2021
Hayi maan hayi maan not Isilo samabandla..yhini umntwana madodaπ the Zulu nation will never be the same again.
— Buhleπ (@Buhle_Nolls) March 12, 2021
RIP King Goodwill Zwelithiniπ pic.twitter.com/6QVAGD6DxJ
My King has passed away - King Goodwill Zwelithini. Very sad news.
— Phumlani M. Majozi (@PhumlaniMMajozi) March 12, 2021
Lala ngoxolo Mkhulu. pic.twitter.com/3nQmTxHreX
Rest in Peace King Goodwill Zwelithini, Zulu ka Ndaba you will always be remembered ππππ pic.twitter.com/xR1tGcexDO
— 2lah (@2lah3) March 12, 2021
Rest in peace ποΈ ππΎ King Goodwill Zwelithini pic.twitter.com/oja1Kfq1VK
— Evidence Bongwe (@Evidence_Shongw) March 12, 2021
I would like to extend my condolences to the family of the late King Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu.
— Mmusi Maimane (@MmusiMaimane) March 12, 2021
I would also like to extend my condolences to the entire Zulu kingdom. May his soul Rest In Peace. #RipKingGoodwillZwelithini pic.twitter.com/0AEk4Doo1a
The Zulu nation must rise even stronger after the passing of his majesty King Goodwill Zwelithini pic.twitter.com/qqg2ChvbFG
— Henk Van Tonder (@henk_tonder) March 12, 2021
IKHOTHEME INGONYAMA YESIZWE SABE ZULU. ππΏπ
— Aunty (@langz_raphael) March 12, 2021
His & Her Artistic Perspective of His Majesty King Goodwill Zwelithini. πβ¨π pic.twitter.com/Sa9S4PAuSr
Rest in peace King Goodwill Zwelithini KaBhekuzulu.
— SUPERIOR LOGIC πΏπ¦πΊπ¬π°πͺπ§πΌ (@LezzzIsMo) March 12, 2021
You have been promoted to glory. You fought a noble fight! pic.twitter.com/vPKiT8uofF
Iβm truly heartbroken at this news. Our King ππππ
— Of Great Worth (@ofgreatworth_) March 12, 2021
King Goodwill Zwelithini ka Bhekuzulu, rest in peace π’ pic.twitter.com/F6TpkuUbde
King of the Zulus. Ingonyama yamaZulu. Isilo saMabandla. King Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekizulu has passed away this morning. Rest in Power our King. Nkhosi!!!πππ pic.twitter.com/5E2PFCMaXR
— Collen Sbu Gwebu (@CollenGwebu) March 12, 2021
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