Thumela, Indlovukazi
The AmaZulu and Eswatini royal families yesterday transported the remains of the AmaZulu regent, Queen Mantfombi Dlamini Zulu, from Johannesburg to the Kwakhangelamankengane Royal Palace in KwaNongoma, in northern KwaZulu-Natal.
The queen died last Thursday night at Milpark Hospital in Johannesburg at the age of 65.
Just like her late husband, King Goodwill Zwelithini, the late regent will be interred tonight near Kwakhangelamankengane Palace.
On Tuesday night, Gauteng premier David Makhura welcomed the Zulu and Eswatini royal families, who came to the province to fetch the remains of Mantfombi.
Speaking on behalf of government when the queen’s remains were being transported to KwaZulu-Natal, Social Development Minister Lindiwe Zulu said it is a sad moment for the Zulu nation and the country as a whole.
“We hope everything will go well as planned,” Zulu said.
KwaZulu-Natal MEC for transport Peggy Nkonyeni said all the necessary arrangements have been made for the transportation of the queen’s remains.
“We have made all the necessary arrangements with the Road Traffic Management in Gauteng, Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal for the transportation of queen’s remains,” Nkonyeni said.
The hearse transporting the remains of the queen left the mortuary in Hillbrow, escorted by Zulu maidens and amabutho singing traditional songs.
Mantfombi was appointed as the interim leader of the Zulu kingdom after Zwelithini’s death in March.
President Cyril Ramaphosa declared a special provincial official funeral for the queen.
According to Zulu custom, the queen’s remains will be interred in secret on Thursday night and it is expected that female regiments, known as Isiphithiphithi, will take part in activities associated with the funeral.
A memorial service will be held tomorrow at KwaKhangelamankengane Palace, which will be presided over by the Seventh-Day Adventist Church to which Mantfombi belonged.
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