South Africa’s Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini dies at 72

Goodwill Zwelithini, the controversial but revered king of the Zulus in South Africa, has expired at the age of 72 after staying for weeks in the hospital for diabetes medication, his palace declared.

The monarch exerted great influence among millions of Zulus through his largely ceremonial and spiritual role, although he had no official power in modern South Africa.

"It is with the greatest sadness that I announce to the world of the sudden demise of His Majesty King Goodwill Zwelithini the King of the Zulu Nation," the palace declared in a statement confirmed by Mangosuthu Buthelezi, a powerful veteran leader who is also a Zulu prince.

The king was related to the hospital last month due to diabetes.

"It is tragic that the health of his majesty, while he was still in the hospital, took a turn and that he subsequently died in the early hours of the morning," the statement read.

"On behalf of the royal family, we thank the country for your continued prayers and support during this difficult time."

Zwelithini was born in Nongoma, a small town in the southeastern province of Kwa-Zulu Natal, and took over the throne in 1971 during the apartheid era at the age of 23, three years after the death of his father.