The Zulu royals have been stricken by more grief after it was confirmed that her majesty Queen Shiyiwe Mantfombi Dlamini-Zulu has passed away.
Queen Shiyiwe Mantfombi Dlamini-Zulu dies: What’s the cause of death?
News of the queen’s untimely passing was confirmed by longtime IFP leader Mangosuthu Buthelezi, on Thursday evening, in a video clip that has since gone viral on social media.
“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,” he said.
WATCH: Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi gives details on the Queen Mantfombi’s passing. @NkoRaphael Supplied file. pic.twitter.com/SfbTdPklZB
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) April 29, 2021
At the time of her passing, Queen Dlamini-Zulu, the eldest wife of the late King Goodwill Zwelithini, was interim ruler of the Zulu nation, pending the election of a new king.
However, on Tuesday, she was rushed to hospital for treatment of an illness that, according to the royal family, has plagued the queen for a long time.
This, we believe, is where Dlamini-Zulu took her last breath. She was 65 years old.
At the height of uncertainty, after the passing of two monarchical leaders in the span of a month, Buthelezi assured the Zulu nation that these tragedies would not cause a vacuum in the hierarchy.
“Further announcements of Her Majesty’s funeral and the necessary arrangements will be made in due course,” the IFP leader said.
What we know about Queen Dlamini-Zulu
Queen Dlamini-Zulu is the daughter of King Sobhuza the 11th, the late eSwatini leader who also fathered King Mswati. As princess of eSwatini and Regent of the Zulu nation, Dlamini-Zulu was a powerful figure in modern African monarchies.
Her family has, for a long time, forged links with other African dynasties. Her brother Prince Thumbumuzi Dlamini is married into the Mandela chieftaincy, which inadvertently makes her the sister-in-law of Zenani Mandela-Dlamini, daughter of former president Nelson Mandela and Winnie Madikizela-Mandela.
She has been betrothed to King Zwelithini since 1973 and together, they are survived by eight children: Prince Misuzulu Zulu, Princess Ntandoyesizwe Zulu, Princess Nomkhosi Zulu, Princess Bukhosibemvelo Zulu, Prince Bambindlovu Zulu, Prince Lungelo Zulu, Prince Mandlesizwe Zulu, and Prince Simangaye Zulu.