Queen Gladys Zulu, matriarch of the Zulu royal family, to be laid to rest this weekend
Image: File
The late Zulu royal matriarch, Queen Gladys Zulu, will be laid to rest on Saturday at Mahhashishini royal cemetery.
In a statement issued by the royal family, spokesperson Prince Thulani Zulu, the matriarch's funeral services will take place on a sports field adjacent to KwaKhethomthandayo Royal Palace.
The queen departed on Friday at Inkosi Albert Luthuli Hospital in Durban after an undisclosed illness. She was 87 years old.
She was the wife of the late Prince Mcwayizeni, who in 1968, after King Bhekuzulu's death, became a regent because King Zwelithini was still too young to ascend to the throne.
Zwelithini took over in 1971. Prince Mcwayizeni was a brother to King Bhekuzulu, who was Zwelithini's father. The queen was well-respected in the royal family and was always referred to as a matriarch.
She was a paternal grandmother to the current Zulu king, Misuzulu kaZwelithini, and was always beside him in all the traditional ceremonies presided over by him.
In his condolences, KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli described her as a pillar within the royal family and a dignified servant of the people whose work as an educator touched and transformed countless lives. Her wisdom, humility, and moral authority were deeply respected across all sectors of society.
'Her presence carried the legacy of grace and strength that we have come to associate with the Royal Household. In her, we saw the quiet leadership of a matriarch, the spiritual depth of a devoted believer, and the tireless spirit of a community builder,' Ntuli said.
The premier further stated that the queen was renowned for her commitment to education, her strong leadership within the church, and her enduring efforts in the preservation of Zulu traditions and heritage.
According to Ntuli, she lived a life of service, compassion, and cultural reverence and left an indelible mark on both the Royal family and the nation at large.
'We draw comfort in knowing that her life was one of purpose and principle. Her legacy will forever remain etched in the hearts of the Zulu people and the broader South African nation. This is not only a loss to the royal family, but to the entire province and nation,' concluded the premier.
willem.phungula@inl.co.za
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