Disrespect shown to a national political icon

His last breath had barely been exhaled, and his worn-out body still surrounded by grieving nearest and dearest, when – along with the countless tributes – words of condemnation and accusations were being hurled.

Yes, we understand that ‘truth’, as some interpret it, must be spoken: but that needs to be done in an appropriate manner and at the proper time.

The last thing family and friends of the bereaved need to deal with after the shock of death, and during the early period of mourning, is vilification of the one they loved deeply.

No person is blameless and flawless, and no doubt the late Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi made many enemies during his long and illustrious public and political career.

By its very nature, politics is a breeding ground for animosity and opposition, and leads to unseemly actions.

Add to that matters related to a fractioned monarchy and a divided nation, and all the tinder for fiery confrontation and conflict is ready ammunition.

Political and contemporary history will judge the late prince as to his strengths and weaknesses, and his virtuous or ruthless - depending on one’s standpoint - contributions to peace, democracy and the birth of the new South Africa.

But could that debate not have been

Give what you have with open hands and open hearts

Dr MG Buthelezi

placed on the agenda after a few hours, at least, of human kindness?

Any person, be they a saint or a sinner, deserves some consideration and respect in death, as do their loved ones.

A human being was lost; a member of a family, clan, community and country.

Fellow creatures should have had that thought uppermost during the time of grief.

We found it tasteless and vulgar that verbal vultures pounced on the corpse while tears were still falling.

There is a time for everything, and this was neither the time nor context.