South Africa has lost a prominent nationalist, Mangosuthu Buthelezi, who died on Saturday, 9th of September, 2023, at the age of 95.
Buthelezi was a once-feared Zulu nationalist and historic leader of Inkatha Freedom Party which presided over South Africa’s deadliest violence ahead of the first all-race elections.
The great nationalist’s death was announced by the President of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa.
He said: “I am deeply saddened to announce the passing of Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi, Traditional Prime Minister to the Zulu Monarch and Nation, and the Founder and President Emeritus of the Inkatha Freedom Party,” Ramaphosa said in a statement.
“Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi has been an outstanding leader in the political and cultural life of our nation, including the ebbs and flows of our liberation struggle, the transition which secured our freedom in 1994 and our democratic dispensation,” Ramaphosa said.
“He quietly and painlessly stepped into eternity in the early hours of the morning” Buthelezi’s family said in a statement.
The prince was discharged from hospital last week after a prolonged stay. Funeral arrangements not confirmed yet as of the time of reporting this.
