Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
20 000 expected at funeral
THOUSANDS of mourners are expected in Ulundi today to pay their last respects to Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi, who died a week ago.
Buthelezi’s body was accompanied by Zulu regiments from the mortuary to his homestead ahead of today’s funeral at the local stadium which high-profile dignitaries are set to attend.
President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to give a keynote speech.
The SAPS has promised to tighten security in and around Ulundi in northern KwaZulu-Natal.
Buthelezi, 95, died at home two weeks after he was discharged from hospital.
His homestead of KwaPhindangene has been a hive of activity this week, with locals, politicians and businesspeople paying their respects.
SAPS national spokesperson Colonel Athlenda Mathe said 20 000 mourners were expected today.
She said police had mobilised all resources to ensure that the funeral took place without any incident and urged mourners to co-operate with police.
“Amabutho and those who will be dressed in traditional regalia are advised that traditional spears and shields will be allowed at the venue in line with the Zulu tradition and culture and for the sole purpose of honouring the late prince. However, no firearms will be permitted at the stadium and no illegal discharge of firearms will be tolerated,” said Mathe.
Buthelezi will be buried with full military honours after Ramaphosa granted him a category 1 funeral.
The central question now is who will take over the position of traditional prime minister to the Zulu monarch and nation, a role he held since his appointment in 1954 by King Bhekuzulu kaDinuzulu.
He served King Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu from 1971 until the king’s death in March 2021 and retained the position when King Misuzulu kaZwelithini assumed the throne after his father’s death.
It has been reported that Prince Mthokozisi Mahlobo and Prince Zuzifa Buthelezi are in the running for the job.
This week Buthelezi’s family spoke about how he died a heartbroken man after his fallout with Misuzulu.
Buthelezi had apparently told them the king had undermined him and showed disrespect in a meeting.
The two had a fallout recently when Misuzulu appointed the new Ingonyama Trust Board against the wishes of Buthelezi.
Buthelezi had preferred that Judge Jerome Ngwenya continue to chair
the trust as he had done since it was established in the late 1990s.
Buthelezi had repeatedly said he was the author of the act that culminated in the establishment of the trust after the negotiations in the early 1990s.
The trust manages 2.8 million hectares of land in KwaZulu-Natal.
This week IFP leader Velenkosini Hlabisa and political leaders from the ANC, DA and GOOD paid tribute to Buthelezi at a memorial service in Ulundi.
His family confirmed that Buthelezi would be buried during the day: Buthelezi was an inkosi (chief) of the Buthelezi clan and traditionally, only kings are buried at night.
Ramaphosa skipped the G77 summit in Cuba yesterday to be able to attend Buthelezi’s funeral. Minister of International Relations and Co-operation Naledi Pandor stood in for the president.