вЂњI am very grateful that I worked with our King and I served him wholeheartedly, I am his longest-serving praise singer. And he says he is grateful to have travelled the world with the AmaZulu monarch. He was among those who visited the KwaKhethomthandayo Royal Palace at the weekend to pay their last respects. Praise singer to the late King вЂ“ Buzetsheni Mdletshe вЂ“ says he believes he has served the monarch well. He because a mirror of the nation, the things that we feel that the government is doing he will just utter them,вЂќ says the Durban-based musician. He will just speak his mind anytime the things that we are afraid to speak. So another thing is remembering the King for honesty on a podium. вЂњHow am I going to remember the late King of the Zulu nation, for his love for his people, his love for God and he explicitly announced that he is a Christian and everyone needs to remember that we belong to Jesus and for me that was also being able to bring the stability they need to know God because knowledge for self is about knowing who created you. Khoza also shared his fond memories of the AmaZulu monarch. Honouring Isilo Samabandla through Amahubo: So Amahubo are at the centre of who we are and Isilo Samantha wonke, he used to smile each time you sing these songs,вЂќ Khoza says. вЂњAmahubo are the prayers of the nation and also are also at the corners of who we are, because in the olden days in each time there is an occurrence or there was an occurrence, they would compose a song specifically for that particular moment and also they serve as the prayers of the nation simply because of the messages over the years, tears of the nation, and also trials and tribulations like Isandlwana, and other colonial battles. Khoza says Amahubo are also a form of prayer. KhozaвЂ™s group, Afrikan Heritage Ensemble, specialises in Amahubo. Khoza says Amahubo is also a form of prayer. One of the Durban musicians who revived Amahubo вЂ“ Mbuso Khoza вЂ“ has previously performed at events attended by the late monarch. These are songs sung by AmaZulu regiments вЂ“ and women вЂ“ in times of sorrow or joy. The King revived Amahubo- traditional Zulu hymns that dominated during traditional ceremonies at the various KingвЂ™s palaces. The 72-year-old AmaZulu monarch passed away from COVID-19 related complications in a Durban hospital on Friday.

It was a genre of music close to his heart. As the AmaZulu nation mourns the passing of King Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu, Amahubo music вЂ“ or the singing of traditional Zulu hymns вЂ“ is one of the ways people are paying tribute to him.

Isilo hymnal