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King Zwelithini celebrates 71st birthday in London

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AmaZulu King Goodwill Zwelithini has celebrated his 71st birthday in the United Kingdom (UK). The leader of the AmaZulu nation and Queen Pumi, joined British royals, Prince Charles and his wife Camilla to mark the 140th anniversary of Anglo Zulu war before heading to London for birthday commemorations and a business summit.

A cake fit for a King, in London, the 8th monarch of the AmaZulu, King Zwelithini, went from spectator to showman in a special birthday celebration laid on for him at the prestigious reform club near Buckingham Palace.

“I call him the royal entertainer, he was on the piano, we had people singing, giving a little jiggles, I think it’s a wonderful thing the South African community here has done for him in hosting this in such an auspicious location,” says High Commissioner of South Africa Nomatemba Tambo.

Commemorating his birthday, was not the only reason, the king was in the UK.  The king’s trip to London follows a visit to Wales where he met Prince Charles and his wife Camilla, to mark the 140th anniversary of the Anglo-Zulu war, but in the capital it all about business.

In a speech, his majesty called for British investment in the development of the KwaZulu-Natal.

“There is poverty that needs to be alleviated in our country, so I’m hoping that this evening I’m looking forward to receiving a birthday present of acceptance of my invitation for all business people in this room to visit this kingdom,” said Zwelithini.

Mayor of the Zululand District Municipality, Thulasizwe Buthelezi used the opportunity to call on the new Prime Minister of the UK, Boris Johnson, to maintain ties with South Africa. “As part of the Commonwealth, SA has a very special relationship with Britain and we do hope Brexit does not affect that relationship and with the introduction of the new prime minister we do hope SA will not be affected,” said Buthelezi.

The King and his family are set to spend the weekend continuing the celebrations, before heading back to South Africa next week.

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Author- Holly Hudson 

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