By AFP More by this AuthorThe regent of the Zulu nation and senior wife of South Africa's recently deceased Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini died unexpectedly Thursday, the royal palace announced. "It is with the deepest shock and distress that the Royal Family announces the unexpected passing of Her Majesty Queen Shiyiwe Mantfombi Dlamini Zulu, Regent of the Zulu Nation," Mangosuthu Buthelezi, traditional prime minister to the Zulu monarch, said in a statement. Although the title of Zulu King does not bestow executive power, the charismatic Zwelithini had moral influence over more than 11 million Zulus, nearly a fifth of South Africa's population. Dlamini-Zulu, the third wife of the zulu king, was elected regent while the royal family was in a three-month mourning period before the next monarch was named. Buthelezi on Thursday assured that while the royal household was grief-stricken, "there will be no leadership vacuum in the Zulu nation."

Source: Daily Nation April 30, 2021 06:18 UTC