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AmaZulu Traditional Prime Minister Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi said their late King Goodwill Zwelithini will be buried in a private funeral on Wednesday night, followed by a memorial on Thursday.
Addressing the media at the Royal Palace in KwaZulu Natal, Buthelezi says only a selected group of men from the Zulu Royal house will participate in the burial.
Even though the South African government has declared a State Funeral according to the Royal family, the King had requested his funeral to be conducted the same way his late two sons were buried.
“After a very protracted meeting, the summary was that there was actually a consensus that the king actually requested that he should be buried at night as happened when his two late sons were buried. Prince Butho and Prince Lekthula were buried at night. And he said to be buried by men only. It should be a private ceremony of the royal family.”
Buthelezi further revealed that the South African president, Cyril Ramaphosa will provide support for the King’s memorial service.
“We are fortunate that one of the sons-in-law of the King phoned the President whilst we were engaged because it is known that His Excellency President Ramaphosa declared a State Funeral Category 1 for His Majesty. So clearly the President has confirmed that there won’t be what is called a state funeral but nevertheless, the Presidency will support what can be described as a memorial service on Thursday.”
The 72-year-old AmaZulu monarch passed away in a Durban hospital in the early hours of Friday and his body will no longer lie in state due to COVID-19 protocols and also his death has been due to COVID-19-related complications.
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