Africa-Press – South-Africa. Politically astute beyond measure and an all-round leader, par excellence – this is how IFP president Velenkosini Hlabisa said the party’s founder will be remembered.
“His leadership, guidance and occasional stern admonition when taking principled ‘points of order’ at times when the National Assembly descended into chaos, were admired by South Africa at large,” Hlabisa said.
“He will be remembered for his unwavering definiteness of purpose in building a democratic and free South Africa.”
Hlabisa said the loss was a huge blow to those who had benefitted from Buthelezi’s leadership and for those who admired his example of “servant-heartedness”.
The IFP expressed its gratitude to the “exceptional” leader, who “blessed our country beyond measure. We cannot begin to express our gratitude”, he added.
Meanwhile, KwaZulu-Natal Premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube confirmed that the provincial cabinet would be visiting Buthelezi’s homestead in KwaPhindangene, in Nkonjeni uLundi, to honour the IFP leader.
ANC national spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri said “uMntwana”, as Buthelezi is widely referred to, had a “multifaceted relationship with the ANC and the nation, and his legacy will be subjected to intense debate”.
However, she stressed the importance of his political contribution.
Bhengu-Motsiri said:
Buthelezi’s death marked the end of an era, National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula said on Saturday.
She described his contributions to Parliament from 1994 as “nothing short of remarkable”, and his presence as “a source of wisdom”.
“From that moment, he became a guiding light, illuminating our legislative halls with his wisdom and unwavering commitment to serving our great nation,” she said.
Buthelezi, a polarising figure, died as he and the ANC were trying to make behind-the-scenes amends, years after the IFP-ANC war that played out mostly in KwaZulu-Natal, and to a lesser extent in Gauteng, where about 20 000 people were killed.
Mapisa-Nqakula said:
“He possessed a wealth of legislative and political leadership experience, having led a political party both during the apartheid era and in post-apartheid South Africa. This experience was invaluable as we navigated the complex terrain of building a new democratic South Africa.”
Mapisa-Nqakula heaped praise on Buthelezi for his role in founding the country’s democracy.
Buthelezi formed the Inkatha yeNkululeko yeSizwe, which later ended up becoming the Inkatha Freedom Party, in 1975.
“Prince Buthelezi’s legacy was not confined to politics alone. He was a visionary whose socio-political philosophy emphasised tradition and modernity. His vision served as a guiding light in our pursuit of a more just and equitable society,” Mapisa-Nqakula said.
“On behalf of Parliament and all South Africans, we extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and his political home, the Inkatha Freedom Party. May they find solace in the knowledge that he served our society with humility and dedication.”
The Afrikanerbond also joined a long list of those paying condolences after the Zulu royal traditional minister and long-time serving MP died in the early hours of Saturday morning.
Afrikanerbond chief secretary Jan Bosman sent commiserations to the IFP and Buthelezi’s family.
Bosman described Buthelezi as “one of the torchbearers representing the hope and aspirations” of democracy. “It is now upon every South African to take the torch and to continue to carry the flames of reconciliation and the values Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi espoused.”
Bosman said Buthelezi had met the Afrikanerbond on numerous occasions in Parliament, and praised him for recognising the Afrikaner grouping.
Buthelezi’s peer in Parliament, Freedom Front Plus leader Pieter Groenewald echoed Bosman’s sentiments, saying Buthelezi was the only Zulu leader who apologised for killings and “atrocities committed against the Voortrekkers”.
Groenewald said this defined Buthelezi as a leader of good character.
“Likewise, he did not hesitate to point out the ANC government’s mistakes and to confront them about it,” he added.
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