PICS: Buthelezi blesses madala 76

AFTER a 16-year wait, mkhulu Samuel Xulu (76) had already given up hope of getting the house government had promised him.

But the mkhulu from Macambini Village in Mandini, northern KZN, shed tears of joy when Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) founder Inkosi Mangosuthu Buthelezi handed him the key to his new house.

Mkhulu said Ward Councillor Nduduzo Ncube took pictures of his rondavel earlier this year and said they would be back to build him a house.

“I did not take him seriously because for many years the government promised me a house,” said mkhulu.

He said the politicians all came in fancy suits filled with empty promises.

Ncube contacted businessman and IFP member Dr Andile Biyela who personallyfinanced the house.

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“Today I will sleep comfortably in a warm house. Unlike before, where I could see the stars while lying in bed,” he said.

Mkhulu said he was staying alone in his dilapidated rondavel.

“On rainy days water would come in through the rotten beams.

Mkhulu Samuel Xulu failing to hold back tears while IFP founder Inkosi Mangosuthu Buthelzi taking him to tour of his new fully furnished house. Photo supplied Photo by

Mkhulu Samuel Xulu could not hold back tears of joy as the IFP founder, Inkosi Mangosuthu Buthelezi, took him on a tour of his new house.

“But today I will sleep without worrying about rain or the wind.”

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Speaking during the handover Speaking during the handover of the house, Inkosi Buthelezi said: one of the commitments the IFP made in their manifesto was to provide dignified housing to those in need. “Xulu is now 75 years old. As a senior citizen like myself, he has lived through much of South Africa’s recent history.Like myself, Xulu believed that the first democratic elections in 1994 was the beginning of a new life but democracy didn’t bring the freedom he dreamed of. The IFP is stepping in to fulfil the promise made to mkhulu.”

Councillor Ncube said: “Mkhulu’s conditions forced me to stand up and look for help from my colleagues.”

We have a mandate to bettering people’s lives regardless of who they voted for.” When asked about the house promised to mkhulu, KZN Human Settlement spokesman Mbulelo Baloyi said: they need to get mkhulu’s ID to check his status.“We need to get his documents so that we will check his status and verify if his details were captured.”