King Goodwill Zwelethini out in support of Proteas ‘warriors’

His Majesty the King, Goodwill Zwelethini kaBhekuzulu, has come out in support of the Standard Bank Proteas ahead of the upcoming 2019 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup in England and Wales. The King hosted the Proteas and cricket delegates at his Usuthu Palace in the northern KwaZulu-Natal town of Nongoma on Thursday, a ceremonious occasion that was a first for South African cricket. Bayede as he is respectfully known, is the reigning King and monarch of the Zulu nation, and is the longest serving King of the Zulu kingdom with a 48-year rule. He is an avid cricket supporter and recently attended the third Momentum One-Day International (ODI) against Sri Lanka at Kingsmead in Durban in March.The Proteas’ opening match of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup against England also coincides with the 140th anniversary of the Battle of Isandlwana, where the Zulu Kingdom defeated the British Empire. The King will be making a ceremonious visit to the UK to mark the occasion.