President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed his deep sadness at the death of the “visionary monarch” Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini KaBhekuzulu on Friday morning.

Zulu King Goodwill Zwelethini, 72, died in hospital when his health took a turn for the worse in the early hours of the morning on Friday 12 March 2021, Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi announced earlier. He had been ill for about a month and was being treated in ICU following concerns about his blood glucose levels.

Ramaphosa said in a statement that he was deeply saddened by the news of the passing of “Isilo Samabandla, King Goodwill Zwelithini KaBhekuzulu”.

“This sad news come at a time when we had all been hopeful that His Majesty was recovering well in hospital where he had been over the past few weeks,” Ramaphosa said.

Ramaphosa extended his sympathy and prayers to the Royal Family, to the Zulu nation, and to the people of KwaZulu-Natal and beyond – for whom the Ingonyama was an important symbol of history, culture and heritage.

“His Majesty will be remembered as a much-loved, visionary monarch who made an important contribution to cultural identity, national unity and economic development in KwaZulu-Natal and through this, to the development of our country as a whole.”

Zwelethini was the longest serving Zulu King since the establishment of the Zulu monarch in 1816. He reigned for 50 years and was the eight serving Zulu King, succeeding his father King Cyprian Bhekuzulu kaSolomon in December 1971.

Meanwhile, KwaZulu-Natal Premier, Sihle Zikalala, announced that all government activities in the province would be cancelled following the news of the Zulu King’s death.

The provincial executive council and the premier are expected to address the media regarding the death of the monarch.

Fears about the Zulu King’s health had been raised last month, when he was admitted to the ICU unit in KwaZulu-Natal. King Goodwill Zwelithini missed out on the State of the Province Address this year and was sorely missed by the house.