The Zulu nation’s longest-serving King Goodwill Zwelithini will be laid to rest in a private family affair this weekend but on Thursday, South Africans can tune into his memorial service.
Watch live: King Goodwill Zwelithini memorial service
In a statement, government spokesperson Phumla Williams revealed that Zwelithini will be sent off in a Special Official Funeral that will be in line with Covid-19 protocols for Alert Level 1 gatherings.
“These measures are also to assist those who may not be able to physically attend the funeral due to the current COVID-19 lockdown level 1 regulations which stipulate that gatherings for funerals may not exceed [a] hundred (100) people,” Williams noted.
SABC News will lead the live broadcast of the memorial service and those who wish to participate in having their condolences featured in proceedings can make submissions here.
The memorial service is expected to kick off at 10:00 on Thursday 18 March 2021.
NOTE: The live stream link will be added here once it becomes available. If you experience playback issues, just refresh the page.
Political parties at the Royal Palace
In the days following Zwelithini’s passing, high-profile political figures have descended at the royal palace to pay their respects to the family.
On Tuesday, members of the ANC and EFF were pictured as they made their way into the palace, each party looking to place itself in the good graces of the KwaZulu-Natal monarchy.
EFF Spokesperson @vuyanipambo and the EFF Head of Presidency Commissar Sinawo Tambo have arrived at the Zulu Royal Palace ahead of the CIC @Julius_S_Malema and EFF war council members who will be visiting to offer condolences to the Royal family #EFFAtZuluRoyalPalace pic.twitter.com/MaWRekV7yF
— Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) March 16, 2021
PRESIDENT BATHABILE DLAMINI WAS AMONG THE DELEGATION FROM THE ANC THAT VISITED THE ZULU ROYAL HOUSE TO PAY OUR RESPECTS FOR THE LOSS OF THE KING, NGONYAMA KING ZWELITHINI. THE DELEGATION WAS LED BY THE ANC SG CDE ACE MAGASHULE. MAY THE SOUL OF THE KING REST IN ETERNAL PEACE. pic.twitter.com/UsCUWZ0hQ3
— ANC Women’s League (@ANCWL_hq) March 16, 2021
At this time, no announcements have been made on who — from Zwelithini’s many children — will take over the reins and lead the Zulu nation.