Amazulu King Zwelithini has passed away after being hospitalised for several weeks last month at a KwaZulu-Natal hospital due to his blood glucose levels.
The royal house confirmed his passing this morning in a statement to the press which read: “On behalf of the Royal Family, we thank the nation for your continued prayers and support in this most difficult time,”

Former leader of the IFP and the king’s traditional prime minister, Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi also confirmed the news in a statement which read:

“It is with the utmost grief that I inform the nation of the passing of His Majesty King Goodwill Zwelithini ka Bhekuzulu, King of the Zulu Nation. Tragically, while still in hospital, His Majesty’s health took a turn for the worse and he subsequently passed away in the early hours of this morning. On behalf of the the Royal Family we thank the nation for your continues prayers and support in this most difficult time. May His Majesty our King rest in peace.”

According to the family, the late King’s health deteriorated earlier today the he passed away. The late King Zwelithini served the Zulu Kingdom for over five decades before passing away today.

He served for close to 50 years.
Things you might not have known about him:

He was born on the 14th of July 1948 in Nongoma, northern KwaZulu-Natal!

He became king after his father, King Cyprian Bhekuzulu kaSolomon passed away in 1968.

Zwelithini was the eighth monarch of the Zulus at a traditional ceremony on the 3rd of December 1971.

The late King caused controversy in January of 2012 in a statement that same-sex relations were “rotten” and has been accused of being greedy by buying luxirous cars when a lot of people in KwaZulu-Natal were living in poverty.