Premier of KwaZulu-Natal Sihle Zikalala, says he has submitted a request to the Presidency to declare a state funeral for the departed Regent of the Zulu nation, Queen Shiyiwe Mantfombi Dlamini Zulu.
Zikalala says this is in honour of the role played by the departed Regent has played in the Zulu kingdom.
So sad, this is a double blow to the Zulu Royal Househttps://t.co/P9Te8753CY pic.twitter.com/E7mwH5scHQ
— Premier Sihle Zikalala (@sziks) April 30, 2021
The Queen passed away on Thursday evening in a Johannesburg hospital. She was 65 years old.
KZN Provincial Government Spokesperson, Lennox Mabaso, says: “The application of the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government is indeed being considered by the Presidency, taking into account all matters tabled and submitted in the proposal.”
The Zulu Royal household is expected to meet today to discuss funeral arrangements for the Regent.
However, the mourning of her passing is marred by a conflict over her husband’s will. The King’s two daughters from his first wife are reportedly seeking an interdict to stop the execution of his will until its legitimacy has been verified. Their mother is also said to have interdicted the coronation of a new ruler.
The Zulu nation mourns the death of Queen Mantfombi Dlamini Zulu:
Queen Mantfombi Dlamini Zulu was the Great Wife of the late King Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu. Queen Mantfombi was the daughter of King Sobhuza, the Second of Eswatini, and sister of the current ruler King Mswati the Third. She was betrothed to the Zulu King in 1973.
The Traditional Prime Minister to the AmaZulu nation, Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi, has revealed claims of her poisoning when she first fell ill two years ago.
Buthelezi was speaking SABC News in an exclusive interview before the Queen passed away from an unknown illness.
Below is that interview:
