Queen Mantfombi Dlamini Zulu, who passed on recently, will be interred on Thursday at night. Photo: Swazi Observer
The traditional Prime Minisiter of the Zulu nation, Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi announced on Monday that the burial of the late wife of King Goodwill Zwelithini who passed away recently after a short illness, will be laid to rest on Thursday night in a private event. Buthelezi was making announcements for the public following the passing on of the King’s third wife, who had been left as the nation’s regent following the passing on of the king.
Prince Buthelezi said in his public announcement that Queen Shiyiwe Mantfombi Dlamini Zulu’s body would be transported from Johannesburg on Wednesday to her Royal Palace in KwaKhangelamankengane in Nongoma, KwaZulu-Natal. Her interment service will take place on Thursday at night like the wishes of her late husband, who was also interred at night as per tradition. Buthelezi added that the memorial service of the former Regent will be held the next day on Friday. “In line with her wishes, as was done for His Majesty the King, Her Majesty will be interred at the crack of dawn in a private burial. As confirmed by her children, Her Majesty wished to be buried at her Royal Palace. Having discussed this with the Queen Mother, Queen Mayvis maZungu (wife of the late King Bhekuzulu, the father of late King Goodwill Zwelithini), it has been agreed that everything must be done in accordance with the late Regent’s wishes,” said Prime Minister Buthelezi.
Buthelezi added that the memorial service on Friday will be conducted by the Seventh Day Adventist Church, to which the late Queen belonged. He added that the Archbishop of the Anglican Church was also expected to attend the service. His statement added that due to the Covid-19 restrictions, there was an appeal for the public not to travel to the palace to pay their respects. “Regrettably, as the Covid-19 pandemic remains with us, a request must be made for members of the public to refrain from traveling to the palace to pay their respects. Her Majesty’s memorial service will be attended by members of the Royal Families of both the Kingdom of Zululand and the Kingdom of eSwatini. This will further reduce the number of mourners allowed in terms of Covid-19 protocols. Such protocols will be strictly maintained,” said the statement.
