Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
Tributes to revered Zulu Regent Queen
TRIBUTES continued to pour in for the Zulu nation Regent Queen Shiyiwe Mantfombi Dlamini Zulu last night with her death raising questions on who will take over the reins.
She had been the regent queen since the end of March after the death of King Goodwill Zwelithini.
President Cyril Ramaphosa led tributes with some of his ministers and Parliament joining in.
KwaZulu-Natal Premier Sihle Zikalala described her death as a blow to the nation, saying the provincial government would scale down some of its activities in her honour.
Ramaphosa said he was shocked by the unexpected death of the regent queen.
“Personally, and on behalf of government and all South Africans, I offer my sincerest condolences to the royal family and the Zulu nation,” said Ramaphosa.
“We extend our thoughts, prayers and hearts once more to the royal family who, in the midst of mourning the passing of the beloved king, are now called upon to bid farewell to the regent in sadly short succession,” he said.
“We stand by the royal family and the nation in this hour of compounded grief.”
Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development Thoko Didiza also paid tribute to the regent queen, saying this was a blow to the royal family and the nation.
In his statement, Prime Minister to the Zulu nation and monarch Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi said there would be no vacuum in the leadership.
He said funeral arrangements were still being made and will be announced.
The ANC also paid tribute. ANC spokesperson Pule Mabe said they were shocked when they learnt of the passing of the regent queen.
“The ANC sends its heartfelt condolences to the Royal family, the Zulu nation and the people of South Africa as a whole. We hope that they will find solace in the knowledge that the entire nation shares in their grief. We wish them strength and fortitude during this difficult time,” said Mabe.
The ANC in KwaZulu-Natal said it was saddened by her death.
“The queen was a highly respected woman, as she held the most important position in the royal house, first as queen consort and the regent of the Zulu nation.
“She was revered by the royal family, the Zulu kingdom and the entire South African community,” said ANC provincial spokesperson Nhlakanipho Ntombela.
The IFP also paid tribute, saying this was a loss to the nation.
IFP President Velenkosini Hlabisa said her death came at the time the nation was still in mourning for King Goodwill Zwelithini.