The protocols to African ways when it comes to Kingship or royal burials is that the bury the king first and announce the death after.
No one is allowed to cry , his grave will be a secret, his wife’s and relatives will never know where he is planted not buried as it is believed they will return back
The 72-year-old AmaZulu monarch died in a Durban hospital in the early hours of Friday from COVID-19 complications.
AmaZulu King Goodwill Zwelithini will be buried in a private funeral on Wednesday night, followed by a memorial on Thursday.
The king’s body will no longer lie in state due to COVID-19 protocols. He died due to COVID-19-related complications on Friday.
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.”
Former President Jacob Zuma is also going to be paying the family a visit today and he and other ministers we understand that the Minister of Co-operative Governance Dr Nkosasana Dlamini Zuma and the Minister of Police Bheki Cele and several other ministers are also going to be part of a delegation of national ministers that are also going to be coming through here,” reports Mhlongo.
The public has been urged not to visit any of the Zulu Royal Palaces in KwaZulu Natal due to risks associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.
