IFP founder and Zulu monarch traditional prime minister Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi was remembered as a great leader in politics and traditional leadership.
Prince Buthelezi's memorial service was held at Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi Regional Stadium in Ulundi, KZN, on Wednesday, 13 September.
Top political leaders from different political parties, amakhosi, Zulu Royal House members, amabutho and residents attended the service.
King Misuzulu’s second wife, Queen Nozizwe Mulela and his siblings, Princess Bukhosibemvelo Zulu, Princess Nomkhosi and Prince Simangaye also attended the service.
ANC chief whip Pemmy Majodina and EFF former spokesman Dr Mbuyiseni Ndlozi were among the top political leaders who attended the service.
EFF's Dr Ndlozi motivated the Buthelezi family and told them to ignore the negativity about Prince Buthelezi.
“Never be shaken by the ill-informed and ignorant people who are taking the platform to say all types of things.
“Never be shaken by the opportunists, hypocrites who want to educate us about our own history and the leadership that stabilised the country to political peace,” he said.
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Prince Thulani Zulu said Buthelezi was a great leader who served as the Zulu monarch's traditional prime minister when the position was not recognised by the government.
“I wish the government could honour Prince Buthelezi by making the position official and creating an office for it.
"Government must also honour Prince Buthelezi by protecting the land of the Zulu people as he was fighting for it," he said.
KZN IFP chairman Thami Ntuli said Buthelezi didn’t steal even a cent of poor people during his leadership.
Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi's son, Prince Zuzifa Buthelezi, said they would take a risk to protect the legacy of their father.
He said they will do this even if they can become unpopular or make enemies.
“We are committing an undertaking that we will do everything within our power to make sure that is held up. I was very fortunate to walk a journey with him until the end. When he passed away, it was me, a doctor and sister,” he said.
