Few in the Zulu nation expected Queen Mantfombi Dlamini-Zulu to die suddenly.
But this happened last week and This Friday she was buried in a private ceremony at the royal palace of Kwangelamankenganel, in the South African province of KwaZulu-Natal, leaving the millions of Zulus wondering who will succeed them on the throne.
The sudden demise of Queen Diamini, of 65 years, has unleashed a succession dispute of uncertain outcome and rumors that she could be poisoned.
She had been appointed regent of the Zulus in March after the death of her husband, King Goodwill Zwelithini, who left 6 wives and at least 26 children.
Although the Zulu king no longer holds political power in South Africa, the monarchy retains a great influence thanks to its symbolic leadership and esp iritual among the Zulu, the largest ethnic group in the country. The crown receives an annual budget of $ 4.9 million from the South African State.
The farewell to the queen
The family The Queen Regent has rejected rumors that she may have been poisoned, but the causes of her death have not yet been made public.
Her first-born, Prince Misizulu, considered by many the best placed to succeed her on the throne and become the next Zulu king, he called for unity in a speech in which he recalled the figure of his father.
“Let us emulate the king by being Peaceful and let’s continue loving all the queens, ”Misizulu asked at her mother’s funeral, according to the local TimesLives media.
The Queen’s farewell was attended by, among others, South African President Jacob Zuma, who has always claimed its origin Zulu.
The decision on who will be the new king of the Zulu has not yet been made.
The late King Goodwill Zwelithini, who passed away from complications arising from diabetes at 72 years, after 50 on the throne, he chose Mantfombi Dlamini-Zulu as his regent because she was the only one of his wives who had royal blood.
According to tradition, should exercise the regency for three months and finally announce the name of the new king, but he died before doing so, which has fueled speculation about the causes of his death.
Diamini was the sister of Mswati III, King of Swaziland, and she married Goodwill in 1977, with whom she had 8 children.
Coming from royalty assured her the status of “Great Wife” among the rest of the king’s women and it is believed that she was about to use that prerogative to designate as new king to his son Misizulu, of 46 years and educated in the United States.
Leopard skins and armed guards at the funeral
By Nomsa Maseko, BBC News Africa
Hundreds of people gathered at Farewell to Queen Diamini, including many of the maidens she was in charge of.
The attendees shared, between nostalgic and gloomy, comments about her figure.
There in the palace of KwaKhangelamankengane was Prince Misizulu, considered the most likely next king.
He appeared flanked by an ibutho, an armed Zulu regiment, in a test of strength. This could indicate that he has their support to succeed his late father.
The Zulu princesses were covered in leopard skins that hung from their shoulders. The princes wore tabards and a head band, all also made of leopard skin.
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