Efforts for KZN peace

Tweek, 23 years ago, President Jacob Zuma’s home in Nkandla was set alight. Back then, South Africa was a very different place.

The country’s first democratic elections were expected to be held in the coming weeks and Zuma was the ANC’s candidate for the premiership of KwaZulu-Natal.

However, the ANC and the IFP were at odds with one another.

The IFP was initially opposed to some parts of the proposed South African constitution and, in KZN, wanted to be led by an autonomous and sovereign king.

When each party campaigned in areas regarded as strongholds of the other, violence often resulted. Invariably, these clashes resulted in death.

The situation was so bad that three weeks before the elections, the Independent Electoral Commission said it would be impossible to hold elections in the province under such conditions.

However, with a week to go before the elections, negotiations proved successful and the IFP decided to take part in the poll.

In the years that followed, peace descended on KZN, and Zuma himself was a key player in this regard.

In more recent times, politicians and would-be politicians were once again targets, especially in the run-up to last year’s municipal elections.

A few months ago, Premier Willies Mchunu set up a commission, chaired by advocate Marumo Moerane SC, to investigate the matter.

This week it is expected to hold the first hearing. We wish them well and trust that through their efforts, and the efforts of others, peace will prevail in our province.