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We have convened this media briefing to express messages of appreciation from the Queens, Princes, Princesses and the entire Zulu Royal Family.

The sad passing away of His Majesty has left gaping wounds in our hearts.                                       

Despite the deep hurt and anguish, we remain comforted by messages of condolences from different structures of society.

We wish to express our appreciation to the national and provincial governments.

We thank the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature.

We convey our sincere gratitude to leaders of political parties.

We thank local and district municipalities.

Importantly, we have received messages of sympathy from Kings in various parts of the country and the continent.

We are indeed comforted by such comforting words as the Zulu Royal family.

We also wish to pay tribute to all leaders of society who are too many to mention.

Critically, we acknowledge with humility, the support from the institution of traditional leadership – Amakhosi – Izinduna from different villages of this province.

We were inspired and revived by Zulu warriors who went to fetch the body of the King at Inkosi Albert Luthuli Hospital yesterday.

The Zulu warriors, in their traditional attire, are a source of strength during this difficult period. We derived so much strength as the Zulu warriors arrived with the Kings body in KwaKethomthandayo Palace from Durban. They were singing Zulu chants in honour of their departed King.

Despite a dark cloud hanging over this province, we are inspired by the spirit of unity that is blowing throughout the corners of this province.

We must continue to display this unity as a way of paying tribute to His Majesty as he departs this earth. He will have a safe journey and consequently convey good news to our ancestors – the Kings of the Zulu nation.

We pause and pay tribute to His Majesty for serving this nation with integrity and commitment.

PLANTING OF HIS MAJESY

We wish to take this opportunity and express our appreciation to the doctors, nurses, other health professionals and all categories of staff who provided quality care to His Majesty.

We pay tribute to the healthcare workers for working diligently with Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize, the Queens, Princes and Princesses from the day of His Majesty’s admission until his untimely departure.

As we prepare for the planting of His Majesty, the Zulu Royal Family will continue to consult with:-

●Traditional leaders (Amakhosi – Izinduna)

●Young men – warriors;

●Women with assigned responsibility to look after girls;

We will continue to consult with other structures as guided by the Zulu culture and customs.

At this stage, we wish to announce that His Majesty will be Planted on the 18th March 2021

Regarding the Planting of His Majesty, we will follow traditional Zulu customs which will be attended by Amakhosi and other traditional structures.

Covid-19 protocols will be followed.

We are encouraged by messages in acknowledgement of the importance of fulfilling our traditional Zulu customs in line with the teachings of His Majesty.

The King encouraged the people of this province across all racial lines to preserve and showcase the diversity of our cultures while we simultaneously show our unity as One People and One Nation.

The essence of the struggle for liberation was to ensure that all people shall have equal right to use their own languages, and to develop their own folk culture and customs.

It is this diversity that makes us a unique nation, weaved from many cultures and ancestral history from our forefathers who descended from different continents.

The most important thing is the acceptance of diversity and the respect of different cultures and different religions and faiths.  

This is the message that His Majesty always preached.

A memorial service will also be held on the 18th March at KwaKhethomthandayo Palace.

The nation will gather to celebrate His Majesty as a Champion of Unity of his people

We will celebrate the King as Champion of development.

The Nation will reflect on his role as a Father who had deep love for his people.

He was a custodian of the Zulu culture and customs and often preached responsible behaviour as we build this nation.

On the day of the memorial service, we will remind each other of the importance of ensuring that young people are guided through the challenges and difficulties they encounter because of their stage of development.

We will use the memorial service to remind the people of this province of his many other teachings.

He emphasized the fact that the family unit is a vital element in the development of a well-rounded and well-grounded child.

We will reiterate his message that the family is central towards the teaching of human values of respect for the fellow human being.

In conclusion, His Majesty often called on men to do the following:-

●Provide for their families;

●Look after their parents;

●Ensure the safety of neighbours and communities at large;

●Respect for the structures of society including institution of traditional leadership;

●Defend the nation against enemies.

We will remind men of these messages from the King.

In conclusion, we wish to express our appreciation to the Leaders of different faith.

We invite them to continue to pray for this nation and the Zulu Royal Family.

We thank you - the people of KwaZulu-Natal and the whole country for the prayers

Bayede !!!!

Issued by Prince Mbonisi, Princess Thembi Zulu-Ndlovu kaBhekuZulu