King Goodwill Zwelithini

QUICK FACTS
Birth Name:
King Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu
Occupation:
Traditional Leader
Date of Birth
14 June 1948 (age 75 years)
Died
12 March 2021 (aged 72) in KwaZulu-Natal
Place of Birth
 Nongoma, KwaZulu-Natal
Nationality:
 South African
Gender:
Male
Spouse(s):

Princess Mantfombi Dlamini of Eswatini (Great Wife), Sibongile Winifred Dlamini, Buthle MaMathe, Thandekile Jane Ndlovu, Nompumelelo Mchiz and Zola Zelusiwe Mafu
Children:
27

King Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu (born 14 June 1948, Nongoma, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa), was the reigning King of the Zulu nation under the Traditional Leadership clause of South Africa’s republican 1996 Constitution.

Who was King Goodwill Zwelithini?

King Goodwill Zwelithini was born on 14 June 1948, in Nongoma, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. He became King on the death of his father, King Cyprian Bhekuzulu kaSolomon, in 1968.

The King was chairman of the Ingonyama Trust, a corporate entity established to administer the land traditionally owned by the king for the benefit, material welfare and social well-being of the Zulu nation. This land consists of 32% of the area of KwaZulu/Natal.

King Goodwill Zwelithini wife(s) and children

King Goodwill Zwelithini was traditionally married to six wifes and he was blessed with 27 children.

These include:

  1. maDlamini (born Sibongile Winifred Dlamini), married 27 December 1969 at St Margaret’s Church, Nongoma.
    1. Prince Lethukuthula Zulu (by Ndlunkulu Sibongile MaDlamini), born 1970 – died 2020.
    2. Princess Nombuso Zulu (by Ndlunkulu Sibongile MaDlamini) owner of Durban-based Ilembe Catering Services, born 1973.
    3. Ntombizosuthu Ka Zwelithini Duma (by Ndlunkulu Sibongile MaDlamini) a businesswoman who co-owns Strategic Persuasions and Zamalwandle Transport Logistics with her husband. Born 1979, married to Mbongiseni Duma, a Johannesburg-based businessman.
    4. Princess Ntandoyenkosi Ka Zwelithini Ngcaweni (by Ndlunkulu Sibongile MaDlamini), an Asset Manager at the Public Investment Corporation (PIC), born 1982. Married to Busani Ngcaweni, who headed the office of the former Deputy President of the Republic of South Africa, Kgalema Motlanthe.
    5. Princess Sinethemba Bati Zulu (by Ndlunkulu Sibongile Dlamini), born 1989, currently pursuing a degree in International Relations, at the University of Witwatersrand.
  2. Buhle KaMathe, born c. 1951. In May 1996, she and her daughter were seriously wounded in an assault during which they were clubbed, stabbed and shot.
    1. Princess Sibusile Zulu (by Ndlunkulu Buhle KaMathe), born 1972.
    2. Princess Nandi Zulu (by Ndlunkulu Buhle KaMathe), born 1977, married (civil) 6 December 2002 in St John’s Cathedral, Mthatha, by Bishop Sitembele Mzamane and (traditional) 7 December at the Thembu Great Place near Qunu, to Chief Mfundo Bovulengwa Mtirara, born 25 March 1973, Acting Deputy Paramount Chief of the Thembu from 2000, Chief of the Matye’ngqina Traditional Authority Area.
    3. Prince Phumuzuzulu (by Ndlunkulu Buhle KaMathe – Phumuza, named after his great grandfather King Phumuzululu kaDinuzulu, son of King kaCetshwayo
    4. Prince Shlobosenkosi Zulu (by Ndlunkulu Buhle KaMathe), born 1988, studied at Kearsney College in Botha’s Hill, Durban.
    5. Prince Nhlanganiso Zulu (by Ndlunkulu Buhle KaMathe), married Wandi
    6. Prince Buzabazi
    7. late Prince Butho Zulu
  3. Mantfombi Dlamini, the Great Wife, born 1956, daughter of Sobhuza II of Swaziland and sister of King Mswati III, married 1973. Her Highness is also a member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church
    1. Prince Misuzulu Zulu (by Ndlunkulu Mantfombi), born 23 September 1974 in Kwahlabisa, KwaZulu-Natal, is currently pursuing a degree in International Studies in Jacksonville, Florida, and is a strong candidate for Zwelethini’s successor. He is unmarried and has one son.
    2. Princess Ntandoyesizwe Zulu (by Ndlunkulu Mantfombi), born 1976, married 13 April 2002 at Enyokeni Royal Palace, Nongoma, to late Kgosi Oupa Moilwa, Chief of the Bahurutse Bagamoilwa . Civil ceremony 11 July 2004, in Pongola.
    3. Princess Nomkhosi (by Ndlunkulu Mantfombi), born 1982, fiancee Melusi Moyo
    4. Princess Bukhosibemvelo, (by Ndlunkulu Mantfombi), born 1985, married Sipho Nyawo, who paid 120 cows as part of the ilobolo for her.
    5. Prince Lungelo (by Ndlunkulu Mantfombi), a student at Michaelhouse boarding school in KwaZulu-Natal.
    6. Prince Mandlesizwe (by Ndlunkulu Mantfombi)
    7. Prince Bizwekhaya (by Ndlunkulu Mantfombi)
    8. Prince Masikomahle (by Ndlunkulu Mantfombi)
  4. Thandekile “Thandi” Jane Ndlovu, married 1988
    1. Prince Sihlangu Zulu (by Ndlunkulu Thandi), artist by name zulusoul
    2. Princess Mukelile Zulu (by Ndlunkulu Thandi)
  5. Nompumelelo Mchiza, married 25 July 1992.
    1. Princess Nqobangothando Zulu (by Ndlunkulu Nompumelelo)
    2. Prince Nhlangano Zulu (by Ndlunkulu Nompumelelo)
    3. Princess Cebo Zulu (by Ndlunkulu Nompumelelo)
  6. Zola Zelusiwe Mafu, born c. 1986, betrothed 2006, married 2014.
  1. Prince Nhlendlayenkosi Zulu (by Ndlunkulu LaMafu)

King Goodwill Zwelithini death and cause of death

King Zwelithini had been in hospital for weeks for what was initially reported to be a problem with his blood glucose levels. He died on 12 March 2021. He was 72 years old.