South Africa: It is with great sadness the South African Local Government (SALGA) mourns the passing of Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi, who was the Prince of KwaPhindangene, Traditional Prime Minister to the Zulu Monarch and the Founder and President Emeritus of Inkakhatha Freedom Party (IFP).
Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi has been an outstanding leader in the Political and Cultural Life of the nation, including the ebbs and flows of the country’s liberation struggle, the transition that secured our freedom in 1994, and the democratic dispensation.
Local government has benefited considerably from Prince Buthelezi.
From 1976 to 1994, Prince Buthelezi shaped South Africa and KwaZulu-Natal in particular. He invested much of his effort in developing Education, fighting poverty, and building infrastructure for the generations to come.
He is the founder of Mangosuthu University of Technology. He built several teachers training colleges, like Mbumbulu, KwaMakhutha, Indumiso, Zakheni, Madadeni and Eshowe. He built more than 6,000 classrooms because he was an advocate of Education.
SALGA President Bheke Stofile says: “on behalf of the SALGA National Executive Committee, I extend my heartfelt condolences to the Prince’s loved ones and the extended IFP family. A life well lived, this is indeed a profound loss for our nation, as Prince Buthelezi made significant contributions to the political landscape of South Africa.
His dedication to the struggle for freedom, his commitment to peace, and his unwavering service to the people of our country will be remembered and celebrated for generations to come. His legacy as a statesman and a leader is an inspiration to us all.”
SALGA KZN Chairperson Thami Ntuli says, “As we mourn his passing, we honour Shenge’s life and legacy and offer our condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues. May he rest in peace knowing that his contributions to the apartheid regime will be remembered for generations to come, Lala Ngoxolo.”