13 March 2021
THE MINISTER OF HEALTH PAYS TRIBUTE TO ISILO HM KING GOODWILL ZWELITHINI KA BHEKUZULU
We were deeply saddened to learn that Isilo, King Goodwill Zwelithini, passed away after battling illness in intensive care.
We join the South African nation as we mourn the loss of our great Monarch, the descendant of King Shaka and Cetshwayo ka Mpande.
His Majesty was a great ambassador for our country, who used the Royal House to facilitate investment in agriculture, education and socioeconomic development. He believed in community self-reliance in fighting poverty and supported government service delivery programmes, particularly the protection of the environment.
He was a great champion for the poor and underprivileged, especially promoting development in rural areas.
He believed in peace and campaigned successfully to end political violence, even as the Royal Family suffered its own casualties.
The King founded Bayede AIDS project, which partnered with government to fight stigma and promote abstinence amongst youth. He also initiated the male medical circumcision campaign which has reached almost a million males in the province of KwaZulu- Natal.
He was a champion for cultural diversity and a repository of history and traditions of our people. He was held in high regard and dearly loved by our people.
His life was dedicated to selfless service to humanity. Isilo loved and respected all people.
Bayede will be missed for his kindness, generosity and his warm, caring and compassionate spirit.
We convey our sincere condolences to the Royal Family- the nation grieves with you.
May his legacy live on through the generations.
Mayilale ngokuthula Ingonyama, Hlanga lomhlabathi, Isilo Samabandla!
Dr. Zwelini Mkhize
Minister of Health
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