Buthelezi did a lot for KZN, SA

IT COMES with a sense of sadness to hear that IFP leader iNkosi Mangosuthu Buthelezi will be passing on the leadership baton.

The IFP, under Buthelezi’s leadership, steered South Africa, and KwaZulu-Natal in particular, through a tough era from the ’70s to the present.

His politics were bread-andbutter issues and the progress of places such as iSithebe, Richards Bay and Ulundi were partly due to his and the party members’ vision and leadership in the early 1970s when the seeds were being planted.

The likes of the late Dr Oscar Dhlomo, Dr Frank Mdlalose and Dr Ben Ngubane were groomed and promoted under iNkosi Buthelezi.

His punctuality and attendance at meetings have been one of his hallmarks.

Seeing the ZG ministerial cars in the early ’80s (which were black Mercedes-Benz 230e) in Isipingo Rail was, to an Indian teenager, a sign of the future of South Africa.

As a leader, iNkosi Buthelezi had accepted a tough deal as a self-governing state and steadfastly refused independence for the 13 territories known as KwaZulu.

This was a major stumbling block for grand apartheid. Dealing with the Nats and facing the urban township youths in then Natal came at a heavy price for many IFP and ANC members.

Politically controversial and witty, one of his famous lines was: “If the guy has anything between his ears…”

In the end, as for his brand of trust and hope for his constituents, the IFP faced many challenges including party members being poached.

Even to this day, the IFP retains its voter strength in rural areas north of the Tugela; the IFP’s stronghold.

The fact that the IFP could win President Jacob Zuma’s home ward in many elections with an ordinary candidate speaks volumes for a party that faced a challenge from the unbanned liberation movement of the ANC and in the president’s village. This should have been an eye-opener for the ANC.

One of iNkosi Buthelezi’s successes is the town of Ulundi, unlike Zuma who wasted his time on his personal palace and fort.

It was started with an idea on a piece of paper.

Ulundi is truly an African city with no colonial hang-ups or heritage barring the battle.

Heritage body Amafa would have a problem finding a listed building.

In spite of the change of the capital, the exodus of civil servants and so on, Ulundi remains a thriving town.

Here one can hardly point a finger towards any dealings in which iNkosi Buthelezi benefited or enriched himself at the state’s expense.

In fact his private house, which was once a feature on South African road maps, has not attracted any media scrutiny or attention.

Even hospitals such as Prince Mshiyeni Memorial and Ngwelezana, as well as the clinics dotted along the countryside, were also among some of the KwaZulu government’s success stories.

To iNkosi Buthelezi, your announcement is timeous.

All the best in your new role.

Bread-and-butter issues were his politics

Glenmore Crescent, Durban North