The remains of the 65-year-old regent arrived last night at her KwaKhangela Royal Palace. 

A convoy of vehicles accompanied a hearse carrying her body from a Johannesburg mortuary to Nongoma. 

Accompanying the late queen during her final journey were, among others, Amabutho, a grouping of dedicated women known as 'Isiphithiphithi', young maidens, and members of her family. 

Upon arriving on Wednesday evening at her residence of KwaKhangela Royal Palace in Nongoma, her body then made its way inside, where it spent the night. 

From there, her close family would have been afforded a chance for a more private farewell, including any other rituals and words of finality they would have carried out. 

From Thursday, it's expected that last-minute touches will be added ahead of the late queen being interred. 

This will take place during a window period that falls between midnight and the crack of dawn and only close members of the family will be present - much like as was the case when the late Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini was planted. 

Once the queen has been interred, a memorial service is then expected to be held on Friday where the story of her life and her achievements will be shared among those who'll be in attendance as well with the whole nation and the rest of the world who'll be witnessing proceedings remotely. 

"The South African Police Service will provide ceremonial elements, while the National Flag will be half-masted throughout the Province of KwaZulu-Natal on the day of the funeral. Funeral proceedings will comply with all the COVID-19 lockdown regulations," the KZN government said in a statement. 

ECR