Longest reigning Zulu monarch who brought peace to his province
Lungani Zungu
King Goodwill Zwelithini, the longest-serving leader of the Zulu nation, earned his place in history for helping bring an end to the violent conflict between ANC and IFP in KwaZulu-Natal that threatened to tear the province apart.
Born on 14 July 1948 in dusty rural Nongoma in northern KZN, he ascended to the throne in 1971, succeeding his father King Cyprian Bhekuzulu who died in 1968.
He studied at the Bhekuzulu College of Chiefs where he was taught about Zulu traditions and customs.
His cattle and the unity of the Zulu nation meant everything to him.
He led the Zulu nation for 50 years and among his successes was quelling the violence that plagued KZN in the 1980s.
He intervened and called the warring sides of the IFP and the ANC to order.
The war ended, and the King was hailed as a peace-broker.
“We cannot afford for his province to go back to the turbulent times when our people were killing each other. End these political killings now,” he said at the height of a fresh spate of political killings in KZN ahead of the 2016 local government elections.
King Zwelithini was also lauded for leading from the front in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
He used his annual reed dance ceremony held at his palace in Nongoma to warn the young and old maidens who attended of the dangers of unsafe sex.
In 1994, King Zwelithini was appointed as the chair of the Ingonyama Trust, formed the same year, which administers about 2.8 million hectares of tribal land in KZN. He was the sole trustee.
While the trust was mired in controversy, the King always fobbed off any criticism against him.
A straight-talker, he did not hide his anger when the ANC government adopted the policy of the expropriation of land at its 2017 elective conference.
After this, he came out guns blazing, daring the government to take tribal land that fell under the Ingonyama Trust. He once threatened that his regiments would defend tribal land with their lives.
He fought against the expropriation of land without compensation until his death.
When was not caught up in his schedule, the King, who was a wonderful musician, played his piano to unwind.
A staunch fan of AmaZulu FC, his day was ruined every time his beloved team lost or drew.
King Zwelithini died on Friday aged 73 after a long illness related to diabetes.
He fathered 28 children with his six wives.
The details of his funeral were yet to be announced, but President Cyril Ramaphosa says he will be afforded a special funeral.
