One of the influential and great king of South Africa, Goodwill Zwelithini of Zulu Kingdom, has passed away following a brief illness which lasted for more than a month. He aged 72.

According to reports obtained by Obinwannem News, King Zwelithini, had health challenges related to diabetes, and had been admitted to the hospital in Kwazulu Natal last week to monitor the diabetes condition.

News of his death was made known by his family, noting that he died on Friday in the Hospital.

The monarch ascended the throne in 1971 at the age of eight. Zulu king succeeding his father King Cyprian Bhekuzulu ka Solomon in 1968. He reigned for over 50 years, making him the longest serving Zulu King.

Nonetheless, he did not hold any political office, since he was already a traditional ruler, but he had considerable influence over the country’s estimated 12 million Zulus. He ruled the largest ethnic group of South Africa’s 60 million people.

King Zwelithini was a strong advocate for preserving cultural identity, and also an outspoken critics of government planned land redistribution policy, which could affect large tracts of land belonging to Zulu nation.

The Ingonyama controlled by the King owns 29% of the land of the Kwazulu – Natal province, about 28000 square kilometers or 10,811square miles.

An estimated five million people are living on the land, mostly in rural farming communities.The land could be confiscated from the Zulu Kingdom if the government follows some of the proposals it has made.

President Cyril Ramaphosa, South Africa President, praised Zwelithini for his contribution to the economic and cultural development.

The president said in a statement , “His majesty will be remembered as a much loved, visionary monarch. Who made an important contribution to cultural identity, national unity and economic development in KwaZulu-Natal, and through this, to the development of our country as a whole.

Lolo Ijeoma Njoku reporting, Obinwannem News