King Zwelithini ‘planted’, memorial service to follow

Mourners gather to pay their respects to the Zulu nation's longest-serving monarch, King Goodwill Zwelithini.

The King was planted last night, in a private and intimate ceremony, attended only by a select few men and his Amabutho, or warriors.

The nation will again bow its head to honour the late monarch when his official memorial service begins at 10 this morning. 

The late King has been planted, a reference to their final send off to the king as according to Zulu tradition he is not gone but merely manifested in a different form. 

Yesterday evening the streets leading up to the palace here were flanked by locals. Some walking by foot while accompanying the King's body. 

The brief private ceremony was held by Amabutho. Once that was done, his body was taken to the royal palace where he was received by his immediate family.  

Now that the body has been planted the next event to take place is the official category 1 memorial service. This will take place here inside a giant marquee which is to be set up in an open field just outside the gate of the royal palace. The president is also expected to deliver a eulogy in an event expected to get underway at 10am this morning. 

NOW READ: Eskom suspends load shedding for duration of Zulu king's memorial service

It is believed that once the event is completed some aspects of the late King's will be read out. 

However, this is not clear when this will happen but it is hoped that it will give some clarity as to who will be next in line to be the next King of the Amazulu nation.

King Zwelithini died in hospital on Friday at the age of 72.