By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) held a memorial service for the late Prince Gatsha Mangosuthu Buthelezi, in Ulundi in northern KwaZulu-Natal (KZN).
The memorial was attended by thousands, including party leaders of various political organisations.
Wednesday was expected to be the last day for mourners to visit the family at the Buthelezi’s KwaPhindangene homestead in Ulundi.
The prince’s family will use Thursday and Friday to conduct their own unique, private and traditional rituals.
However, Prince Zusifa Buthelezi (Prince Mangosuthu’s son) said an exception will be made for his father’s close international friends when they arrive in the country to pay their last respects.
“My family and I know all too well how much Umntwana gave to the IFP. We know the countless days and nights that he was away from home serving the cause of freedom, justice and stability of South Africa. We could never begrudge him for the time spent away because it was clear that he was fulfilling his God given duty”.
IFP Secretary-General Siphosethu Lindinkosi Ngcobo said South Africa has not had a person more capable of leading its nation than the late Buthelezi.
He said the late stalwart led structures in a manner that improved the lives of those it served.
Ngcobo has held the position of Secretary-General of the IFP since August 2019.
IFP President Velenkosini Hlabisa said there will never be a leader like Prince Buthelezi in the IFP again.
“As the leader of a party that Umntwana founded and natured, raised into a political force to be reckoned with. I believe, I can speak on behalf of every IFP member when I say that there will never again be a leader like Umntwana waKwaPhindangene.
“The loss of Prince Buthelezi has left a gapping vacuum in the IFP, Zulu Kingdom and in the South African political landscape”.
EFF MP Mbuyiseni Ndlozi said the IFP and Buthelezi should not be shaken by opportunists and ignorant people.
“Never be shaken by the negativity, never be shaken by the ill-informed ignorant people who are taking platform to say all types of things. Never be shaken by opportunists, hypocrites who want to educate us about our own history and the leadership that stabilised this country into a politically peaceful environment”.
Minority Front leader, Shameen Thakur-Rajbansi recalled the fond friendship that her late husband, Amichand Rajbansi, and Prince Buthelezi shared. She also paid homage to the late prince’s memory by recalling the letter he wrote to her following the death of her son late last year.
He was supportive of parents who lost their children, and I felt his support for me during these struggles, “she said.
Thakur-Rajbansi also described him as a reverent teacher, who helped her along in her political career.
ANC’s National Assembly Chief Whip, Pemmy Majodina, recalled fond memories with the late leader, saying she learnt about respect, commitment and passion. She described him as very patriotic and a man who always defended the integrity of his country abroad.
President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to be among the 10,000 people attending the funeral of the IFP founder and Traditional Prime Minister to the Monarch and the Zulu Nation.
Zulu maidens, regiments or Amabutho, as well as hundreds of members of the IFP Youth Brigade and structures of the party, will be in attendance.