Founder of IFP, Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi, has died

President Cyril Ramaphosa has  announced the passing of Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi.

Buthelezi passed away in the early hours of Saturday, just two weeks after celebrating his 95th birthday.

PICTURE - @CyrilRamaphosa: Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi

He was the Traditional Prime Minister to the Zulu nation as well as the founder of the Inkatha Freedom Party, and was South Africa’s first of Home Affairs Minister, under a democratic South Africa.

Buthelezi was discharged at the beginning of September, after spending three months in hospital undergoing tests and treatment for prolonged back pain.

‘’Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi has been an outstanding leader in the political and cultural life of our nation, including the ebss and flows of our liberation struggle, the transition which secured our freedom in 1994 and our democratic dispensation,’’ said President Cyril Ramaphosa, in a statement.

‘’My thoughts and prayers and those of government and our nation go out to the Royal Household who have been blessed to share uMntwana waKwaPhindangene’s extended lifetime with him, as well as to the Zulu Nation and the leadership and membership of the Inkatha Freedom Party,’’ he added.

The Presidency said announcements will be made in due course, based on consultations between government and the family, on the arrangements of Buthulezi’s funeral.

‘’Announcements will be made in due course, based on consultations between government and the family, on the arrangements to mourn and honour the Inkosi of the Buthelezi clan as a formidable leader who has played a significant role in our country’s history for seven decades.’’

‘’We shall, in due course, reflect more extensively on his extraordinary life and diverse contributions to the development of our nation. At this point in time, we embrace the Buthelezi clan in their mourning and pray that the soul of the Prince rests in peace,’’ the statement read.

The Buthelezi family confirmed the passing.

‘’He quietly and painlessly stepped into eternity in the early hours of this [Saturday] morning.’’

 

Done By: Mitchum George