Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu will be buried in a private funeral on Wednesday night, followed by a memorial on Thursday, Zulu Traditional Prime Minister Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi said.
As reported by South Africa’s SABC, the king’s body will no longer lie in state due to COVID-19 protocols.
Buthelezi says only a select group of men from the Zulu Royal house will participate in the burial.
“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 says the Presidency 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.”
King Zwelithini passed on in the early hours of Friday morning.
(With input from SABC News)
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