THE ANC said it was working on giving back Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi his ANC membership as he requested.
The members of the governing party said they would still pursue the matter with the IFP to honour Buthelezi’s wish.
That was revealed by the ANC deputy president Paul Mashatile during his visit to the Buthelezi family to mourn with them after the death of the IFP founder.
Buthelezi, who is a former ANCYL member, died on Saturday, 9 September at his home in Ulundi at the age of 95.
Mashatile said the late Buthelezi indicated to them that he would like to have his membership of the ANC back.
“The SGO (Secretary General Office) was working on it, but the most important thing was for the ANC and IFP to work together.
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“Not to be merged to be one party but to work together as different parties but giving each other space and where possible, work together. That is why on many occasions we have worked tighter in different coalitions,” he said.
IFP president Velenkosini Hlabisa said on the issue of the reconciliation between the ANC and IFP, the ball was in the ANC’s court.
“As we all know, Prince Buthelezi wanted to close his eyes when the matter had been resolved. Unfortunately, it didn’t happen. We therefore have a responsibility, we who are still alive, to ensure the reconciliation agenda is attended to,” he said.
Mashatile said that as the governing party, they are ready to reconcile and work together with the IFP to honour Buthelezi.
“When the president of the IFP says the ball is our court, he is basically saying ‘we as the IFP we are ready to hear from you’. We will come back to them and start those discussions. We are also ready,” he said.
Buthelezi’s son Zuzifa Buthelezi said his father joined the ANCYL at the University of Fort Hare before he was kicked out.
“He always hated when people said he was expelled, saying he was rusticated,” he said.
