Zulu King goodwill Zwelithini dies: King Goodwill Zwelithini died at the age of 72 after being in hospital for more than a month.
Zulu King goodwill Zwelithini dies: The traditional leader of South Africa’s Julu Nation, King Goodwill Zwelithini, died at the age of 72 after being in hospital for more than a month. His family gave this information on Friday. According to local media, he had been struggling with diabetes for a long time. The eighth Zulu king, Jwelithini, ruled for more than 50 years. He was the longest reigning julu king.
While being the traditional leader of the Julu nation, he did not hold any political post. However, they are believed to have an impact on about 12 million Julu population of the country. During his nearly 50-year rule, he also took many controversial decisions. He has six wives and 28 children. He used to spend the life of Shan-o-Shaukat even in this poverty-stricken nation. At the age of 65, she married Queen Jolla Mafu of Swaziland.
Raja was made at the age of 23
He became king in 1968 after the death of his father, Bekuzulu Kasolomon. But for fear of being killed, he had to stay out of the country for three years on the island of St. Helena. Prince Israel Macquini had assumed the throne by then. He formally took over the rule on 3 December 1971.
Introduced a strange tradition
King Goodwill Jewelithini also resumed the peculiar tradition. The annual Reed Dance Festival to be held here was resumed. Thousands of unmarried girls dance in a semi-naked state at this festival. He started this dance festival in 1984. According to this, Kuvnari girls dance in front of the king and celebrate their virginity. During his reign, this festival was celebrated vigorously every year.
Hate homosexuals
King Goodwill hated homosexuals. According to him, he was like a ‘worm’. Apart from this, in 2015, he gave birth to a new controversy. He had said that outsiders are behind the rising crimes in South Africa and they should be banished. After this, attacks especially on African immigrants increased. Seven people were killed and thousands had to leave the country. However, he later clarified that his statement was misrepresented. He had said, ‘If I had really said that, people would have killed each other. The whole country would have become a heap of ashes. ‘