South Africa’s Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini dies aged 72

The monarch, who ascended to the throne in 1971, was admitted to hospital weeks ago for diabetes treatment.

Goodwill Zwelithini, the controversial but revered king of South Africa’s Zulus, has died at the age of 72 after spending weeks in hospital for diabetes treatment, his palace announced. The king wielded great influence among millions of Zulus through his largely ceremonial and spiritual role despite having no official power in modern South Africa. “It is with the utmost grief that I inform the nation of the passing of His Majesty King Goodwill Zwelithini … King of the Zulu nation,” the palace said a statement signed by Mangosuthu Buthelezi, a powerful veteran politician who is also a Zulu prince.