South African Political Giant, Zulu Chief Mangosuthu Buthelezi, Passes Away at 95.
During the time of unfair apartheid laws, Mangosuthu Buthelezi started the Zulu Inkatha Party because he was disappointed with the African National Congress (ANC). In the early 1990s, there were violent clashes between supporters of these two parties, causing many deaths. Later on, he reconciled with the ANC and worked as Nelson Mandela’s minister of home affairs.
Chief Buthelezi was a clever but controversial politician. He didn’t agree with the ANC’s use of force against white minority rule and followed a more moderate path as the leader of a Zulu homeland.
He didn’t support global sanctions against South Africa, thinking they would only hurt the black majority. During the clashes in the early 1990s, Nelson Mandela’s ANC accused him of cooperating with the white-minority government. Some worried the violence might lead to a civil war and disrupt the move to democracy that made Mandela president in 1994.
Many believed that members of the old apartheid security forces were working with the Inkatha movement against the ANC, but Buthelezi always denied this.
President Cyril Ramaphosa praised Chief Buthelezi, calling him a “strong leader” who had played a significant role in the country’s history for seven decades. He said that Buthelezi passed away early on Saturday, two weeks after celebrating his 95th birthday.
Chief Buthelezi was the traditional leader of the Zulus, the largest ethnic group in South Africa. He was born into the Zulu royal family, with his mother being Princess Magogo kaDinzulu, who was the sister of the Zulu king. In a 1964 film called “Zulu,” Chief Buthelezi portrayed his own great-grandfather, Zulu King Cetshwayo.
He served as the prime minister of KwaZulu, the homeland of the Zulus. In 1975, he established the Inkatha Freedom Party, which represented Zulu politics and culture. After leading the party for 44 years, he stepped down as its leader in 2019.
SOURCE: BBC