Mangosuthu Buthelezi, a prominent South African statesman and esteemed Zulu prince, has passed away at 95, as announced by the presidency on a somber Saturday.
The founding father of the Inkatha Freedom Party, Buthelezi served two terms as the Minister of Home Affairs in the post-apartheid government, marking a remarkable journey that began with his reconciliation with the governing African National Congress party (ANC) in 1994. President Cyril Ramaphosa conveyed his deep sorrow, stating, “I am deeply saddened to announce the passing of Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi, the Prince of KwaPhindangene, Traditional Prime Minister to the Zulu Monarch and Nation, and the Founder and President Emeritus of the Inkatha Freedom Party.”
Buthelezi, a figure of controversy during the apartheid liberation struggle, faced health challenges, including a back pain procedure in July, which later led to his hospitalization when the pain persisted, as reported by the local news website News24. In 1975, he laid the foundation for the IFP as a national cultural movement, which eventually evolved into a significant political force in what is now KwaZulu-Natal province. His party was embroiled in tumultuous conflicts with the ANC during the 1980s and 1990s.
His pivotal decision to participate in the inaugural post-apartheid election in 1994 was key in bringing peace between the two formidable parties. This historic vote ushered in the ANC and its esteemed leader, the late Nelson Mandela, after decades of white minority rule.
Reflecting on Buthelezi’s intertwined journey with Mandela, the Nelson Mandela Foundation acknowledged the complexity of his legacy, stating, “In many ways, the two leaders came to embody an understanding of reconciliation that required no forgiveness, forgetting of the past, or even a liking for one another – it was simply a determination to coexist.”
South Africa’s primary opposition party, the Democratic Alliance (DA), paid tribute to Buthelezi as a “great leader.”
“Prince Buthelezi was a titan on South Africa’s political landscape,” remarked DA leader John Steenhuisen.
Buthelezi’s roots are traced back to a traditional upbringing, where he spent his early years as a herdboy. In 1953, he assumed the role of acting chief of the prominent Buthelezi clan and was officially confirmed as chief four years later. He defied the polygamous norms followed by many Zulu chiefs by remaining married to Irene Mzila, a nurse. Their union blessed them with three sons and four daughters.
Buthelezi’s unwavering commitment to his people and pivotal role in the struggle against apartheid is indelibly etched in South Africa’s history. Though fraught with conflict and bloodshed, his complex relationship with the ANC ultimately paved the way for South Africa to elect its first Black leader, marking a significant chapter in the nation’s journey toward freedom and reconciliation.
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