KwaZulu-Natal Premier Sihle Zikalala says the provincial government and Presidency are in agreement that the departed regent of the AmaZulu nation – Queen Mantfombi Dlamini Zulu – be afforded an official provincial funeral.
The Regent Queen passed on last week at the age of 65.
The Regent of the Zulu nation will be laid to rest on Thursday at the KwaKhangelamankengane Royal Palace in KwaNongoma, northern KwaZulu-Natal.
A memorial service will be held on Friday.
Zikalala visited the KwaKhangelamankengane Royal Palace at Nongoma to pay his respects.
Legal battles
Referring to legal challenges to the validity of the late King Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu’s last will and testament, Zikalala has called on the royal family to try and resolve their differences internally.
“It pains us to see issues of the Royal Household being discussed in a manner in which it is happening as people who have the responsibility to sit together and discuss. Our call and plea are to respect Her Majesty as His majesty was emphatic on solving problems through discussions. Our plea is that the royal house must sit together and discuss the matter internally.”
Zikalala has confirmed that his office has received applications for an interdict to stop the execution of King Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu’s testament, filed by Queen Zibongile Zulu and her daughters Princess Ntandoyenkosi and Princess Ntombizosuthu.
“This is the matter that is in court and the best process to deal with matters that are in court is to follow the legal processes. We received court papers and we have referred them to our internal legal unit and we will how do we take forward that matter and we don’t want to enter into details on those issues.”
KZN Premier Sihle Zikalala visits the AmaZulu Royal Family at KwaNongoma
Dlamini-Zuma calls on royal family to address differences
Cooperative Governance Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma has called on the AmaZulu royal family to come together and address their differences.
Traditional Prime Minister to the AmaZulu nation, Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi has described the decision by MaDlamini to approach the court challenging the late King’s will and estate as shameful. Dlamini-Zuma says she hopes there is peace in the royal family for the benefit of the Zulu nation.
“This is a very difficult time for them having lost three senior members of the royal family in succession. These kinds of departures of senior people sometimes create tensions but we are hoping that they will be able to go deep inside and find a way of keeping together and keeping the stability of the royal family.”
