By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The late Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi will be honoured with a special official funeral category 1 in Ulundi, northern KwaZulu-Natal.
Buthelezi died early on Saturday morning and will be laid to rest on Saturday.
Buthelezi’s family confirmed he will be buried in his hometown of Ulundi, northern KwaZulu-Natal on Saturday, 16 September.
Initially, the burial was planned for Friday.
Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said: “The state, official and provincial official funeral policy of government accords special official funerals, category 1, to people of extraordinary credentials specifically designated by the president.
“The president has directed that flags be flown at half mast at flag stations around the country from today, Tuesday September 12, until the evening of the day on which the funeral will take place.”
He said Buthelezi’s funeral will include elements of military honours.
Buthelezi, who passed away at the age of 95 at his ancestral home of KwaPhindangene in eMahlabathini outside Ulundi, is credited with staging a solitary fight vouching for MisuZulu to be installed as the king.
This was at the height of a fierce battle for the AmaZulu throne following the passing of Queen Regent Mantfombi Dlamini.
While the pair were close allies, their relationship had deteriorated at the time Buthelezi took his last breath at the weekend.
At the heart of frosty relations was the disagreement on who should occupy the helm of the Ingonyama Trust.
The entity was formed on the eve of 1994 democratic elections to control over 2-million hectares of the tribal land in KwaZulu-Natal.
Buthelezi had advocated for long-time chairperson and retired judge Jerome Ngwenya to remain in the post while the king preferred his confidante Inkosi Thanduyise Mzimela.
The entity, whose sole trustee is the AmaZulu king, is considered a strategic asset not only because it controls vast tracts of land, but also collects millions in land leases from big corporates and mining companies.