The commander of the AmaZulu warriors, Mgilitsha Nhleko, will be buried at his homestead in KwaNongoma in northern KwaZulu-Natal on Saturday.
Zihogo Nhleko who was affectionately known as Mgilitsha died at the local hospital on Monday.
The Jacob Zuma Foundation has expressed its condolences, saying Nhleko was a good example to future generations as he led the warriors with dignity and respect.
Nhleko was once criticised when he led the regiments to Zuma’s homestead in Nkandla to show solidarity in relation to his contempt of court matter.
The foundation’s spokesperson Mzwanele Manyi says, “President Zuma did write a letter of condolences to the family of Nhleko to convey his support for the family to share the sorrow with them and indeed to console the family and the entire nation that indeed what has happened is undesirable and that the whole nation is in fact mourning the passing on of Mgilitsha.”
H.E President Zuma through a heartfelt letter, has conveyed his condolences to the Nhleko family following the passing of Bab’Zihogozelanga Nhleko, known to many as “Mgilija”, the Commander of the Zulu Regiments. pic.twitter.com/yxUKWXcAQo
— JGZuma Foundation (Official) (@JGZ_Foundation) November 11, 2021
Twitter Tributes:
It is with shock and sadness to learn of the passing of former leader of the AmaZulu regiments Zihogozelanga “Mgilija” Nhleko. We will remember him as one of our stakeholders during the preparations of commemorations such as the battle of Isandlwana and Umkhosi weLembe pic.twitter.com/GFrs0YTz2z
— MEC Hlengiwe Mavimbela (@MecMavimbela) November 8, 2021
When i was doing in-service training at the KZN dept of Social Welfare bab’u Nhleko, the one that you know as Mgilija, would walk into our dept and shout “Sanibona e Communication”. He was one of the drivers for the MEC and was so fond of my collegues there. pic.twitter.com/PpV7pvD3eV
— SKKhumalo (@SKKhumalo) November 9, 2021