South Africa’s Influential King Zwelithini Dies At Age 72

Goodwill Zwelithini, the controversial but worshipped ruler of South Africa’s Zulus, has kicked the bucket at 72 years old in the wake of going through weeks in medical clinic for diabetes therapy.

The King was influential among a large number of Zulus through his immense formal and spiritual role notwithstanding having no authority power in present day South Africa.

His passing was reported by Mangosuthu Buthelezi, a veteran politician who is also a Zulu ruler, through a statement.

The King had been in the hospital a month ago treating for diabetes. But unfortunately, while still in emergency clinic, His Majesty’s health condition got ugly and died in the early hours of Friday March 12.

King Zwelithini was born in Nongoma, an unassuming community in the southeastern Kwa-Zulu Natal territory, and was enstooled in 1971 during the politically-sanctioned racial segregation time at the age of 23, three years after the demise of his dad.