Cyril can’t ignore Buthelezi forever

President Cyril Ramaphosa unwittingly divided the country during his State of the Nation Address. He said: “We have a role to play as individual South Africans, as politicians Mmusi Maimane, Julius Malema, Rev Meshoe, Themba Godi, Mosiuoa Lekota ...”

He left out Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi. This cannot go by unnoticed. Ramaphosa did so intentionally because the mere mention of the EFF leader as he looked at him would have reminded him of Buthelezi, who was sitting next to Malema.

Some could argue and say this is insignificant and inconsequential, but Buthelezi has been isolated in this country for countless years. Ramaphosa himself should know better that the IFP and ANC never had a chance to reconcile on a number of issues since the days when Shenge was called all sorts of names. So, his political negligence is not nursing the festering wounds nor is it closing the rift. Ignoring Buthelezi means, Mr President, that you do not recognise his role and the one he played even outside the borders of SA. We know that history is written by victors, but no leader should sweep under the carpet the role of Prince Buthelezi in SA. Nelson Mandela once said: “We have used every ammunition to destroy him, but we have failed. And he is still there. He is a formidable survivor. We cannot ignore him.”

Sonwabile Xasa, Joza, Grahamstown