PRINCE Mangosuthu Buthelezi’s bodyguards shared their experiences with Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi when he was still alive.
They asked the IFP to not abandon them as their work to guard Buthelezi was over.
They said Buthelezi never called them bodyguards but his children.
Prince Buthelezi, who was also Inkosi for the Buthelezi clan at Mahlabathini in Ulundi, KZN, died on Saturday, 9 September.
One of Prince Buthelezi's bodyguards, Sizwe Ndlovu, who has worked for Buthelezi for 23 years, said it was a blessing to work for him.
“It was a blessing to get that opportunity and be trusted at our youngest age. I started to work for him at the age of 24 years.
“We learned more from Inkosi. We came a long way because he was patient with us in all our mistakes, and he was able to forgive us,” he said.
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Sizwe said Prince Buthelezi was a father to them and wanted them to eat first before they worked, while he always gave them presents during Christmas.
“Even those who don’t attend church, they attended it because he used to go with us to church during Easter weekends,” he said.
Another bodyguard, Sibusiso Shabala, who has worked for Buthelezi for 17 years, said life will be difficult.
He said he hopes the IFP will not abandon them.
“He always forgave us when we made mistakes. I remember we recently made a mistake and reported it to him, and he forgave us.
“It is painful that we will be jobless, but we know that the IFP family who was with us, they will be with us,” he said.
