TODAY, I feel the absence of His Majesty King Zwelithini KaBhekuzulu more acutely than ever—yet I also sense his presence. The nation remembers and celebrates the life of its fallen king, who preceded his people in passing.
In every walk of life, there are individuals of special stature whose influence is felt deeply and widely. His Majesty King Zwelithini was such an individual. At his death four years ago, not only did a family lose a loving husband, father, and grandfather, but the nation lost a treasured and revered leader.
It seems inconceivable that a generation of Amakhosi, or traditional leaders, is now growing up without knowing him or, at the very least, knowing of him. Few public figures blend extraordinary capacities and vision to fashion a career as awe-inspiring in its breadth and significance as His Majesty did.
Having reigned for nearly fifty years, he revived key cultural practices like circumcision and the reed dance ceremony, which were of great consequence. Yet these represent only a fraction of his contributions. While his death saddened us, we are fortunate to have cherished memories of his warmth, affection, and gratitude. As Thornton Wilder once noted, the highest tribute to the departed should not be grief but gratitude.
When I began reflecting on His Majesty, a flood of descriptive words came to mind. Half were nouns derived from verbs: founder, doer, mover, organiser, campaigner, mentor, scholar, reader, talker, decider, friend, conciliator, visionary. The other half were adjectives: modest, faithful, blunt, canny, wise, consultative, fair-minded, public-spirited, supremely optimistic, affable, unpretentious, grandfatherly, filled with goodwill and good sense.
A man whose death was mourned by millions, he possessed not only a common touch but also a desire to bring the ordinary into his extraordinary life. He was never pretentious or self-indulgent. His unique qualities endeared him to millions of subjects, making him one of the most thoughtful and impactful leaders of his generation.
In remembering His Majesty, we can do no better than to keep in mind the words of Michael King: *The most profound satisfactions are found in living a life in harmony with the natural world, exercising the human capacity for friendship and altruism, engaging in creative and purposeful activity, and experiencing an allegiance to one’s origins.*
When the King passed away on March 12, 2021, the news was met with profound sorrow and trepidation. Tributes poured in from every corner of the globe. Yet words alone cannot capture the role he played in our lives. His abiding legacy will continue to shape and bolster our ideals and values as a nation.
Today, March 12, marks the fourth anniversary of His Majesty’s passing. We remember his life and contributions. He remains a symbol of unity, faith, and hope—qualities we can all appreciate and learn from. On December 3, 2021, he would have celebrated 50 years on the throne as King of the Zulu nation. His passing concluded a life lived gracefully and consistently with the values he upheld throughout his reign.
Those who knew him personally will remember his kindness, infectious smile, and humble demeanour. He was a calming presence, deeply devoted to his faith, genial, humorous, and modest. A common thread throughout his reign was his unwavering commitment to the development of his subjects. His determination and magnanimity were exemplary. As Alexander Havard notes in *Virtuous Leadership*, virtues like humility and magnanimity lead to fulfilment. The King embodied these virtues, exemplifying honour and courage.
His Majesty now belongs to history, yet his messages resonate for the future. As Rodney Needham once said, when a precious friend passes, we mourn the individual loss but soon turn to general themes and elevated abstractions that offer comfort. His Majesty’s life and legacy provide such comfort.
King Zwelithini was a unique individual—a monumentally successful public figure and a warmly compassionate private person. He treated everyone with respect and dignity, embodying humility, a trait he showed was essential to leadership. His optimism and positive attitude, even in frustrating circumstances, made him a favourite among his subjects. He was a beacon of moral clarity, integrity, and humility, caring deeply for all who knew him.
As Maya Angelou said: "A great soul serves everyone all the time. A great soul never dies. It brings us together again and again." His Majesty possessed all the qualities of greatness: deep faith, empathy, and a broad vision. His influence on his subjects will be eternal.
The best way to honour his memory is to uphold the values he stood for—decency, rationality, civility, and honour. He led by example, and it is up to every South African to carry forward his legacy. His hard work, commitment, and passion will never be forgotten.
His Majesty has bequeathed us a great heritage. It is our responsibility to safeguard it from those who undermine or disregard its value. As a poet once said, life can be challenging, but it is never easy when so much is at stake.
In remembering His Majesty, we keep him alive in our hearts. As Maya Angelou wrote, *We can be and be better because he existed.* Lives end, but history continues. His legacy will forever inspire us.
His Majesty’s life exemplified the virtues of faith, hope, and love. He was a man of peace, a custodian of our heritage, culture, customs, and traditions. He was the veritable authority on the cultural values of the Zulu nation, an ambassador who championed a developmental monarchy in a developing state. His gentle demeanour and commitment to unity stand in stark contrast to the alleged tensions among members of the royal family today.
The poet Patrick Cunningham reminds us that while death is sad, remembrance is not. Through remembering our loved ones, we keep them alive in our hearts, allowing their memory to guide us on our own healing journey. His Majesty’s life continues to reverberate, as Maya Angelou’s words suggest: *We can be and be better because he existed.*
* Dr Vusi Shongwe works in the Department of Arts and Culture in KwaZulu-Natal and writes in his personal capacity.
** The views expressed here do not reflect those of the Sunday Independent, Independent Media or IOL.