Tweeps continues to outpour messages of condolences, after the Zulu-nation interim leader passed away
By Mcebo Makhaye
Regent of the Zulu nation, Queen Shiyiwe Mantfombi Dlamini-Zulu has died at the of 65, Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi confirmed her death on Thursday night.
In a statement, Buthelezi who is the traditional prime minister to the Zulu nation said the queen’s death took everyone in the royal court by surprise,
“It is with the deepest shock and distress that the Royal Family announces the unexpected passing of Her Majesty Queen Shiyiwe Mantfombi Dlamini-Zulu, Regent of the Zulu Nation. This has taken us by surprise and left us utterly bereft,” the statement reads.
Buthelezi added: “On behalf of the Royal Family, I wish to assure the nation that while we are all rightly grief-stricken, there will be no leadership vacuum in the Zulu Nation. May Her Majesty, our Regent, rest in peace.”
This comes after last month Dlamini-Zulu was appointed as the interim leader of the Zulu nation during the interregnum periods.
The cause of the death of Dlamini-Zulu is unknown at this stage, however she had been reportedly being unwell and had been hospitalised, TimesLIVE reported.
In the meantime, the South African president Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed his condolences to the Zulu royal family.
“Personally, and on behalf of government and all South Africans, I offer my sincere condolences to the royal family and the Zulu nation.
“We extend our thoughts, prayers and hearts once more to the royal family who, in the midst of mourning the passing of the beloved king, are now called upon to bid farewell to the regent in sadly, short succession,” Ramaphosa said.
In addition, tweeps have added their voices and flooded Twitter TL with messages of condolences. This is what they had to say:
Meanwhile, Buthelezi has asked the public to give the royal family private space and he promised that further announcements on Her Majesty’s funeral would be made in due course.
Compiled by Mcebo Makhaye.
