By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Thousands of mourners gathered in South Africa’s eastern town of Ulundi in Kwazulu/Natal (KZN) on Saturday for the state funeral of veteran politician and Zulu prince Mangosuthu Gatsha Buthelezi.
Buthelezi, a controversial figure during the apartheid liberation struggle because of his bitter rivalry with the African National Congress (ANC), died last week aged 95.
Born of royal blood, he was to some the embodiment of the Zulu spirit: proud and feisty. To others, he bordered on a strongman.
The founder of the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) served two terms as Minister of Home Affairs in the post-apartheid government after reconciling with his governing ANC rival, Nelson Mandela.
The day started with a private family prayer. Mourners then proceed to the Prince Mangosuthu stadium in Ulundi, KwaZulu-Natal for Buthelezi’s category one Special Official Funeral which the President specifically accords to persons of extraordinary credentials.
The funeral incorporated elements of military honours including the 11 Gun Salute. Since Tuesday the flags have been flying at half-mast and this will continue until later on Saturday evening.
At least 20 000 mourners attended the funeral at which President Cyril Ramaphosa delivered the eulogy. Other dignitaries attending the funeral are former presidents Thabo Mbeki, Kgalema Motlanthe and Jacob Zuma as well as Buthelezi’s lifelong friend the former Nigerian president Olusegun Obasanjo.
The first part of the programme comprised the family. IFP mayor Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi was the programme director.
Social Development Minister Lindiwe Zulu, who is an ANC leader, directed the second programme.
Other dignitaries included Anglican Archbishop Thabo Makgoba, Chief Justice Raymond Zondo and KwaZulu-Natal Economic Development MEC Siboniso Duma.
Buthelezi founded the IFP in 1975 and it became the dominant force in what is now KwaZulu-Natal. Like the ANC, Buthelezi was critical of white minority rule, which had relegated Zulus and other Black South African nations to downsized ‘homelands’.
But his Zulu nationalist movement became entangled in bloody conflicts with the ANC in the 1980s and 1990s. The ANC was dominated by members of the rival Xhosa nation, and its leaders saw Buthelezi’s on-off willingness to work with the apartheid authorities as a betrayal of all Black South Africans.
The two parties made peace when Buthelezi decided to participate in South Africa’s 1994 election, the first national poll since the end of white minority rule, which brought Mandela to power.
Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) president Velenkosini Hlabisa said he’ll work hard to maintain the party’s political stature.
“I want to place on record that we will strive to ensure the IFP remains a strong force to be reckoned with, to rebuild our country as we move on as the nation of South Africa,” Hlabisa said.
Hlabisa said he’d learnt a great deal from the departed politician.
“He taught us the importance of self-help…and helping the vulnerable, especially women and children, Hlabisa said.
The IFP president said forgiveness was the greatest lesson he’d learnt from Buthelezi.
“He faced the immense pain of being unjustly vilified by the very leaders whose mandate he was acting, yet he refused to abandon the mandate – he forgave again and again,” Hlabisa said.
Reflecting on some of Buthelezi’s notable achievements, Hlabisa said the late member of parliament (MP) had contributed to building more that 6,500 classrooms and the establishment of townships like Ulundi – which he said was a “forest” before Buthelezi’s development endeavours.
The IFP leader thanked Ramaphosa for affording Buthelezi a state funeral despite political differences.
“I want to thank you President Ramaphosa for not using your political spectacles, but honored accordingly the great son of Africa,” Hlabisa said to Ramaphosa.
Hlabisa also acknowledged the presence of former South African presidents Mbeki, Motlanthe and Zuma, as well as Obasanjo – thanking them for attendance.
“You know the journey you’ve travelled with the Prince of KwaPhinangene. Your presence to honour him speaks volumes,” Hlabisa remarked.
He also thanked opposition party leaders Julius Malema, John Steenhuisen, Bantu Holomisa and Mmusi Maimane for attending the late IFP founder’s funeral service.
“I felt so emotional, I was almost reduced to tears seeing so many people [come to pay tribute],” Parliament Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula said she paid her respects to the Buthelezi family.
“What we’re witnessing today is the beginning of Madiba’s wishes. UMntwana wakwaPhindangene was instrumental in creating the democratic country we see today. He was a disciplinarian who didn’t hold back from correcting anyone. He advocated the recognition and retention of all indigenous languages,” she said.
Ramaphosa hailed Buthelezi for his impact on South Africa’s modern history and championing the preservation “of all indigenous cultures”.
He mentioned the hit television series based on the Zulu nation’s history, Shaka iLembe, and said its producers had sought advice from Buthelezi about the show.
Ramaphosa also heaped praise on the Zulu traditional prime minister’s stance on HIV, having been one of the first leaders to announce that it had affected his children. He referenced Buthelezi’s love for Amabutho (Zulu regiments) and music.
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Video Courtesy of Icebolethu.