IFP founder Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi has passed away just after turning 95-year-old.
The Traditional Prime Minister of the Zulu Nation has been a staple in the South African political landscape, having initially been a member of the ANC Youth League and later founding Inkatha yeNkulukelo yeSizwe in 1975.
Prince Buthelezi who was a prominent member of the Zulu Royal Family, was born on 28 August 1928, the son of Princess Magogo kaDinuzulu, King Solomon’s sister, and Inkosi Mathole Buthelezi, the King’s Prime Minister.
Political career
After completing his studies at Fort Hare University in Alice in the Eastern Cape, the Prince entered political life joining the ANC Youth League. However, his stay in the ANC would be shortlived as he went on to found Inkatha yeNkulukelo yeSizwe in 1975. In 1994 the changed its name to Inkatha Freedom Party.
The party was founded at a time when the ANC and other liberation movements were banned.
The party presented a political home for many Zulu people but did not limit its political ambitions to what was then known as Natal.
Buthelezi campaigned for the release of former president Nelson Mandela and for a meaningful transition to democracy.
During 1983 and 1984 he travelled to various countries including the US where he met with former President Ronald Reagan in the Oval Office.
The meetings were aimed at urging against economic sanctions and divestments as many multinational organisations were large employers in South Africa.
Buthelezi was of the firm belief that sanctions would have the most severe impact on poor black South Africans who were employed in these companies.
Video Footage of Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi meeting with former US President Ronald Reagan
The late 1980s and 1990s were characterised by a wave of black on black violence, which saw thousands killed in clashes between IFP and ANC groups.
Differences in political ideology and approach to tackling apartheid were intermingled with tribalism.
The IFP believes that it was a “target of the ANC’s People’s War” and “Throughout this time, Prince Buthelezi never abandoned his call for peaceful resistance, non-violence and negotiations,”
Source: IFP website
Buthelezi’s role at the end of apartheid, the release of Mandela, and the subsequent ending of the conflict in Zululand and the then Traansvaal is undeniable.
Buthelezi met with former President FW de Klerk to motivate for Mandela’s release.
In 2015 he counted his discussions with De Klerk, saying he had said freeing Mandela was a “non-negotiable”.
De Klerk announced Mandela’s release on 2 February 1990.
As South Africa prepared for the transition to democratic rule, political violence escalated. There were concerns that it would derail the planned elections, and when Buthelezi quit the negotiations in 1992, these concerns grew.
According to the LA Times, Buthelezi accused the ANC of, “holding the South African government up to ransom” and holding talks behind his party’s back.
At the time De Klerk noted that “it appears to me, more and more, that we won’t have peace until Mr. Mandela and Dr. Buthelezi also make their peace.”
Source: LA Times
Over 20 000 people were killed in the conflict. Eventually, Mandela and Buthelezi were able to make peace and bring the warring groups together. Buthelezi was appointed minister of home affairs in Mandela’s cabinet between 1994 and 1999 and he served as acting president several times.
Former President Nelson Mandela and Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi meet in Durban
Former President Nelson Mandela calls a meeting to stop Zulu Nation violence
Buthelezi has remained a member of parliament in subsequent iterations of parliament, often acting as a voice of reason.
He has also spoken out publicly against decisions of the ruling ANC government, particularly under the Zuma administration.
Buthelezi wants honesty from Zuma
President Zuma has failed SA: Inkosi Mangosuthu Buthelezi
Royal career
Buthelezi’s political career has overlapped his role as traditional prime minister in the royal household which he first undertook in 1968.
He served in the court of King Goodwill Zwelithini, who was king from 1968 until 2021 when he passed away.
Buthelezi was at the forefront of communication around the royal succession, which was characterised by infighting within the royal family.
King Misuzulu kaZwelithini was eventually crowned as the new leader and Buthelezi was retained as the traditional prime minister of the new royal household.
Now Read: Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi has passed at the age of 95
