IN PICTURES | Celebrating the life of King Goodwill Zwelithini

King Goodwill Zwelithini Zulu, seen here when he was 23 years old, dressed in a navy blue military type suit with peaked cap and leopard skin trimmings, during his installation as Zulu king in Nongoma on December 3 1971. Image: Jan Kopec © Sunday Times

Zulu monarch King Goodwill Zwelithini died in hospital on Friday after he was admitted last month following “several unstable glucose readings”.

Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi, IFP founder and traditional prime minister to the Zulu monarch, confirmed the news on Friday morning.

King Zwelithini was crowned as the eighth monarch of the Zulus at a traditional ceremony in Nongoma in KwaZulu-Natal, attended by 20,000 people, on December 3 1971.

He was born on July 14 1948 at Nongoma in KwaZulu-Natal. He was the eldest son of King Cyprian and his second wife, Queen Thomo, and was educated at the Bekezulu College of Chiefs and then privately tutored.

Following his coronation, the country’s constitution made the king’s role ceremonial and subject to the authority of the chief minister, Buthelezi.

He is survived by his six wives and 28 children. His eldest son and immediate heir to the throne, Prince Lethukuthula Zulu, died in November last year.

King Goodwill Zwelithini Zulu encouraging Zulu traditional dancers. Circa September 1971. © Sunday Times.

King Goodwill Zwelithini Zulu with MC Botha. Circa 1970's. © Sunday Times.

King Goodwill Zwelithini Zulu. Pic: Clifford Ranaka. Circa June 1971. © Sunday Times/ Times Media

King Goodwill Zwelithini Zulu shakes hands with Mr. Willie Jordaan, president of the Johannesburg Rotary Club. Pic: Ralph Ndawo.15/05/1979. © Rand Daily Mail/Avusa

King Goodwill Zwelithini during the opening of the Kwa Zulu-Natal Legislature. Pic: Nickey de Blois. 03/05/1995. © Business Day.

King Goodwill Zwelithini Zulu. Pic: Herbert Mabuza. 13/08/2000. © Sunday Times.

STONY-FACED: Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini.Pic: Thembinkosi Dwayisa. 05/07/2007. © Sunday Times.Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini during an urgent meeting at Nongoma to discuss an application by 11 chiefs to be recognised as kings.

King Goodwill Zwelithini during his daughters' Nomkhosi and Bukhosibemvelo coming out of age ceremony at KwaKhangelamankengana Palace in Nongoma. Pic: Thembinkosi Dwayisa. 24/05/2007. © The Times.

King Goodwill Zwelithini pictured in his traditional Zulu warriors during the annual umkhosi wokweshwama ceremony held at Nyokeni Royal residents at the weekend. Pic. Siyabonga Mosunkutu. 07/12/2009. © Sowetan.

King Goodwill Zwelithini with his Bayete Shiraz in front of his wine collection at his Palace in Nongoma. Pic: Jackie Clausen. 19/11/2010. © Sunday Times

King Goodwill Zwelithini proudy displays his new royal jewellery range designed by South African Compny African Romance in partnersip with Bayede, the King's job creation venture , at the Beverly Hills hotel in uMhlanga, Durban. Pic: THEMBINKOSI DWAYISA. 08/04/2011. © Sunday Times