The official Category 1 special funeral of the late King Goodwill Zwelithini KaBhekuzulu, who died on Friday, will receive military honors, the government said on Tuesday morning.

After reigning nearly half a century, following his coronation as Zulu King in 1971, King Zwelithini succumbed to complications from diabetes at Chief Albert Luthuli Hospital in the wee hours of Friday morning.

“Category 1 special official funerals are granted with military honors. The funeral will be a private service of the royal family. The official memorial service will take place at the Khethomthandayo Royal Palace in Nongoma on Thursday, March 18, 2021, starting at 10:00 am, ”said government communications director Phumla Williams.

On Sunday, Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi announced that the king’s wish was to be buried at night and only by men in a private ceremony and that the royal family would do according to His Majesty’s wish.Providing an update on the king’s funeral, Williams said those who wanted to send a message of condolences to the Royal Family, the Zulu Nation and the people of KwaZulu-Natal and beyond use the condolence book online available at: [email protected] (link sends email).

The memorial service will be broadcast live on SABC and other major broadcast channels, while additional arrangements have been made for the service to be broadcast live on various government online platforms.

“These measures are also aimed at helping those who may not be able to physically attend the funeral due to the current Covid-19 lockdown Level 1 regulations which state that gatherings for funerals cannot exceed 100 people. .

“The arrangements and guidelines for the media to cover the memorial service will be outlined in a technical briefing to be held in due course, the media will be briefed on the details,” said Williams.

Below are links to government online funeral broadcast platforms: