President Cyril Ramaphosa will this morning deliver the eulogy at the Special Official Funeral of the late AmaZulu Monarch, His Majesty King Goodwill Zwelithini KaBhekuzulu. #RIPKingGoodwillZwelithini
His Majesty the King passed away in the early hours of Friday, 12 March 2021, after an extended illness. #RIPKingGoodwillZwelithini
President Ramaphosa honoured His Majesty the King by according him a Special Official Funeral Category 1. This category entails ceremonial elements provided by the South African National Defence Force. #RIPKingGoodwillZwelithini
The King was interred this morning and his memorial service will take place in KwaKhethomthandayo Royal Palace. #RIPKingGoodwillZwelithini
The service is now underway. #RIPKingGoodwillZwelithini
The dignitaries include President Cyril Ramaphosa, former President Jacob Zuma, Zulu Nation Prime Minister Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi and several Ministers. #RIPKingGoodwillZwelithini
One of the MCs, Prince Qedi Zulu, says there will only be three speakers. #RIPKingGoodwillZwelithini
The Chaplain is now opening in a word of prayer. #RIPKingGoodwillZwelithini
Prince Buthelezi has now taken the podium to welcome mourners. #RIPKingGoodwillZwelithini
Prince Buthelezi reminds mourners that God is our refuge. "May God give us the wisdom to grieve like people who have hope," he says. #RIPKingGoodwillZwelithini
Prince Buthelezi says His Majesty spoke without fear or favour. He led by example and told us to grow our own food for our families, he says. "Our nation would be poorer without our King." #RIPKingGoodwillZwelithini
Prince Buthelezi says traditional leadership remained strong under the leadership of the King. "His committed to his people and kingdom is beyond question." He describes him as someone who was also passionate about education and a philanthropist. #RIPKingGoodwillZwelithini
Prince Buthelezi says the AmaZulu King championed the fight against HIV and AIDS. He says his stance saved many lives. #RIPKingGoodwillZwelithini
Prince Buthelezi says they will work hard to preserve his legacy of unity. #RIPKingGoodwillZwelithini
His Majesty's sister has taken the podium. "It's not easy to here where we are today. He was a man of peace and I plead that we continue where he left off." #RIPKingGoodwillZwelithini
"We never thought he'd leave us. He'd put a brave face even when he was sick because he didn't want us to worry about him. He was brave," His Majesty's sister tells mourners.
His Majesty's sister has thanked everyone who has comforted the Royal Family.
@kzngov Premier Sihle Zikalala is now on the stage. He has described the King as the light that guided them. #RIPKingGoodwillZwelithini
Premier Zikalala: He will always be in my hearts. It hurts, but we say rest in peace.
@PresidencyZA Cyril Ramaphosa has taken the podium to deliver his eulogy. #RIPKingGoodwillZwelithini
President Ramaphosa: Today is a difficult day. Ilanga lishone emini. We're bidding farewell to our leader. A huge tree has fallen. Our nation is indeed in mourning. #RIPKingGoodwillZwelithini
President Ramaphosa: It was with the heaviest hearts that we received the news that our beloved leader and King succumbed to the deadly disease that has taken so many people. #RIPKingGoodwillZwelithini
[Watch] President Cyril Ramaphosa delivers the eulogy #RIPKingGoodwillZwelithini
President Ramaphosa: We also received heartfelt condolences from the UN Secretary-General. #RIPKingGoodwillZwelithini
President Ramaphosa: The passing of His Majesty means we've lost a revered leader. It was during his reign that his people along with the people of our country realised their dream of freedom. #RIPKingGoodwillZwelithini
President Ramaphosa: He will be remembered for his role in bringing peace to KZN. He called an end to political killings, going to various parts of the country including hostels. #RIPKingGoodwillZwelithini
President Ramaphosa: I also sought his advise on agriculture, leadership, culture and international matters,. Being in his presence was a rare privilege. He always exuded warmth, wisdom and love for the people of SA. #RIPKingGoodwillZwelithini
President Ramaphosa: He challenged the international community to avail more funding against the AIDS pandemic and the South African government to provide treatment. #RIPKingGoodwillZwelithini
President Ramaphosa: He was a champion of safe male circumcision as one of the weapons against the spread of HIV and AIDS. He demonstrated great courage and vision. #RIPKingGoodwillZwelithini
President Ramaphosa: He restored the Annual Reed Dance and the Ceremony of the First Fruit. #RIPKingZwelithini
President Ramaphosa: His Majesty turned this province into a cultural jewel. He was also a lover of music and recognised the importance of musicians as cultural ambassadors. #RIPKingZwelithini
President Ramaphosa: He spoke out against violence directed at foreign national and gender-based violence (GBV). #RIPKingZwelithini
President Ramaphosa: He was very strong on bridging the digital divide between the rural and urban areas. RIPKingZwelithini
President Ramaphosa: Today, we lay to rest a leader but also a father, a husband and a grandfather. Zulu people are in mourning and we all share in their sorrow. #RIPKingZwelithini
President Ramaphosa: His Majesty has left us but his legacy lives on. It is a rich and proud legacy. #RIPKingZwelithini
President Ramaphosa: Our nation has suffered a great loss. So, let us pick up his spear. What I admired about His Majesty is that he had faith. He believed that we would triumph over poverty, inequality, unemployment and GBVF. #RIPKingZwelithini
President Ramaphosa: The King is not dead because Kings don't die. Their spirits live with us fuelling the triumph of their Kingdoms. #RIPKingZwelithini
President Ramaphosa: To the Royal Family, thank you for sharing your father and grandfather with us. To the Queens, thank you for sharing your husband with the nations. To all the Kings and political leaders, let us unite and build on the legacy of our King. #RIPKingZwelithini
President Ramaphosa: As Black Mambazo sang, 'there is a home of the triumphant heroes'. Sithi hamba kahle, Silo Samabandla. #RIPKingZwelithini
Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) Minister, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, has acknowledged Princess Charlene of Monaco, who is also in attendance. #RIPKingZwelithini
Archbishop Thabo Makgoba is now preaching. He says he appreciates the long relationship the Royal Family has with the Anglican Church. #RIPKingGoodwillZwelithini
The King's brother has thanked everyone for all the support in this tough time. #RIPKingGoodwillZwelithini
Thank you for following our thread. Please go to sanews.gov.za to read the full story. #RIPKingGoodwillZwelithini
President @CyrilRamaphosa challenged leaders to pick up King Goodwill Zwelithini KaBhekuzulu’s spear and continue the quest to build a better South Africa tinyurl.com/fecmhak5 #RIPKingGoodwillZwelithini #KingGoodwillZwelithini 
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