Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi, the Emeritus President of the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) in South Africa and the AmaZulu Traditional Prime Minister, died at the age of 95.
In the early hours of Saturday morning, the news was verified by President Cyril Ramaphosa.
He had the title of being the AmaZulu Traditional Prime Minister with the longest tenure, serving under three different Zulu kings in succession, starting with King Cyprian Bhekuzulu. He was crucial in facilitating King Misuzulu kaZwelithini’s accession to the throne.
Messages of condolences:
IFP:
The IFP says that Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi’s passing is an incomparable loss for the organisation, the AmaZulu people, and South Africa. According to a statement from the IFP, Buthelezi made a significant contribution to bolstering the monarchy and ensuring the AmaZulu king’s official recognition. He served as the AmaZulu nation’s traditional prime minister. The gathering sent its sympathies to AmaZulu King Misuzulu kaZwelithini and the Buthelezi family.
ActionSA:
The political party expressed its profound sadness at Prince Buthelezi’s unexpected passing.
“Buthelezi was a giant who played an instrumental role in the fight for democracy during the Apartheid regime and served as Minister of Home Affairs from 1994 to 2004.”
Mandela Foundation:
The Nelson Mandela Foundation mourns the loss of Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi, a significant player in South Africa’s historical narrative.
His legacy is one that is both overwhelming and intricate, encompassing elements as disparate as the evocation of ethnic identities in political conflicts, the promotion of peace, participation in a government of national unity, and commitment to ensuring the success of democracy in South Africa. Nelson Mandela’s life journey and his had several points of intersection. The two leaders in many ways came to represent a view of reconciliation that didn’t require forgiving, forgetting the past, or even coming to like one another — it was simply about deciding to get along.
The Nelson Mandela Foundation extends its condolences to the Buthelezi family, the IFP, and all South Africans who mourn the loss of an elder.
Hamba kahle Shenge. We will remember you.
EFF:
Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi was one of the most well-known and significant leaders in South Africa, according to EFF spokesperson Sinawo Thambo. He praises Buthelezi for being able to rule the Zulu kingdom and the political sphere for so long. The party appreciates Buthelezi’s ability to quell political intolerance in KwaZulu-Natal during his latter years of political involvement, he said, as it allowed the EFF to freely campaign there during its early years.
DA:
DA Chief Whip, Siviwe Gwarube, says the late AmaZulu Traditional Prime Minister, Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi played a critical role in shaping the country’s political landscape.
The DA Chief Whip says Buthelezi was a disciplined politician.
“One of the things that I will remember very fondly, is that even though Prince Buthelezi was much older and he was having much difficulty moving in the last couple of years, but he took his role as a Member of Parliament incredibly seriously and up until he was admitted to hospital, he was somebody who will routinely speak in Parliament, even though he would do so virtually. But he was somebody who took and understood his role very seriously.”
UDM:
UDM leader, Bantu Holomisa has also sent his sympathy message.
“He was a gentleman and I also remember the time when he used to engage the late President [Nelson] Mandela and fortunately for the country, they managed both of them to pull through during difficult time. May his soul rest in peace.”
ANC:
In a statement, the ANC laments the loss of a mature leader who helped KwaZulu-Natal and the nation as a whole. According to the article, Buthelezi was adored by common people of all ages and will be sorely missed.
The ANC claims that after spending more than a month in the hospital receiving treatment for complications following an operation for back pain, Buthelezi should have fully recovered.
Prince Buthelezi’s passing, according to Pemmy Majodina, the leader of the ANC Caucus in Parliament, is a sad day for the entire country. Majodina claims that the seasoned politician has a significant legacy.
“The bells have rang very early in the morning. The lawmaker veteran is no more. We, as ANC Caucus, pass condolences to family, the IFP membership and nation at wide. This was a fountain of wisdom when it comes to lawmaking.”
ANC spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri says there was a sense of comradery between Buthelezi and the ANC’s founding heroes of the liberation struggle.
PAC:
The late Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi’s achievements before and after 1994, according to PAC chairman Mzwanele Nyhontso, helped to create the nation we have today.
“We believed Tata Buthelezi played his role, made his own contribution. He contributed to what SA is today. May his soul rest in peace.”
KZN government:
The KwaZulu-Natal provincial government says the passing of Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi marks the end of an era. Premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube and MEC’s in the province will be visiting the Buthelezi home today. In a statement the provincial government says Buthelezi was a politician of international repute, had a photographic memory of events and was a remarkable storyteller until the end.
ATM:
African Transformation Movement has added its voice of condolences on the passing of the founder of the IFP, Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi.
ATM spokesperson Zama Ntshona, says Buthelezi has greatly contributed to the laws of the country.
“As the longest serving member of Parliament, has contributed immensely to the legislative development and pruning of our laws and policies over past 29 years, and kept checks and balances of democracy from opposition benches. The story of democratic dispensation cannot be told if the role played by honorable Buthelezi was not engraved in the aisles of history.”
NFP:
National Freedom Party’s secretary in KwaZulu-Natal Zandile Myeni says Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi was a symbol of unity not only for the AmaZulu nation but the country as a whole. Myeni has paid tribute to him as a leader who stood firm by his beliefs and respected everyone. Myeni says Buthelezi recently played a huge role in bringing stability to the Zulu monarchy after the passing of King Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu.
“In his terrain, Umthawana made a very significant contribution in restoring and maintaining the respect of the traditional leadership and we saw his contribution after the first election in 1994 when the Amakhosi and the traditional leadership was restored through his intervention.”
Thabo Mbeki Foundation:
The Thabo Mbeki Foundation also extends its heartfelt sympathies to Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi’s family and his organisation, the Inkatha Freedom Party, on the demise of Umntwana wakwaPhindangene.
‘Humanitarian’
Traditional leaders in the Eastern Cape have described the late former IFP leader as a great leader and humanitarian, whose legacy shall continue to live on. Some have urged South Africans, especially political leaders to learn from his bravery in the fight for liberation, and to continue to reflect on his wisdom and high moral standards.
