Lionel Mtshali, 80, dies
FORMER KwaZulu-Natal and IFP stalwart, Lionel Mtshali, 80, had died after a long illness, IFP president, Mangosuthu Buthelezi, said yesterday.
Buthelezi said the former KwaZulu government education minister and schools’ inspector would be remembered as a dedicated party leader, a skilled administrator and an exceptional South African.
“His greatest legacy, however, is likely to be his leadership in making antiretroviral medicines available to all clinics across KwaZulu-Natal, and forcing the national government to follow suit.”
Mtshali served as premier between 1998 and 2004 and also as the IFP national chairman between 1997 and 2004.
Buthelezi sent condolences to Mtshali’s family.
“We honour them for lending Dr Mtshali to the IFP and for supporting him as he made his outstanding contribution to the health and strength of South Africa.”
NFP secretary-general, Nhlanhla Khubisa, also sent condolences. He said Mtshali would be remembered as a fearless and shrewd politician.
“He was passionate about education, and as former minister of education in the then KwaZulu government, he encouraged the building of schools and infrastructure that would ensure that the black learners, in particular, got the best education,” Khubisa said.