Mangosuthu Buthelezi, the founder of the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) and an influential figure in South African politics, has passed away at the age of 95.
His extensive career spanned over five decades, encompassing both the apartheid era and the post-1994 democratic era.
In this article, we pay tribute to the life and political journey of Mangosuthu Buthelezi.
Mangosuthu Buthelezi Early Life and Education
Mangosuthu Buthelezi was born in 1928 in Mahlabathini, Zululand, to Princess Magogo kaDinuzulu and Matohole Buthelezi, the chief of the Buthelezi clan.
He pursued his education at the University of Fort Hare, where he initially joined the ANC Youth League.
However, his involvement in protests in 1950 led to his expulsion from the organization.
Rise to Leadership
After a succession battle for leadership within the Buthelezi clan, Mangosuthu, also known as Shenge, became inkosi in 1953. He was later appointed as the traditional prime minister by King Cyprian kaSolomon, a role he held throughout his life.
During the apartheid era, Buthelezi played a complex role in South African politics. He founded Inkatha Yenkululeko we Sizwe, the precursor to the IFP, in 1975. He served as the president of the IFP for an impressive 44 years, relinquishing his position in 2019 to Velenkosini Hlabisa.
Buthelezi also held key government positions in KwaZulu, which became a bantustan under apartheid’s “homelands” policy.
Controversial Stance
Buthelezi’s political stance during apartheid was marked by what he termed “loyal resistance.” This approach placed him at odds with other liberation movements like the ANC, as he accepted bantustan citizenship while also calling for the release of Nelson Mandela and other political prisoners.
Tensions and conflicts with the ANC and the formation of the United Democratic Front in 1983 contributed to a decade of state-sponsored violence.
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC)
The TRC found that individuals trained by the South African Defence Force, under the administration of Buthelezi, were involved in assassinations of ANC and UDF activists as part of Operation Marion. Buthelezi consistently denied any involvement in these actions, portraying Inkatha as a victim rather than an aggressor.
As negotiations between the ANC and the apartheid regime began in 1990, Buthelezi rebranded Inkatha as the IFP and pushed for a federalist dispensation.
He played a significant role in the establishment of the Ingonyama Trust, which administers traditionally controlled land on behalf of the Zulu monarch.
Mangosuthu Buthelezi Later Political Career
Mangosuthu Buthelezi served as a Member of Parliament (MP) in the national assembly after the 1994 elections and held the position of Minister of Home Affairs in Nelson Mandela’s government. In 1998, he authorized a military intervention in Lesotho during Mandela’s absence.
In the later years of his career, Buthelezi chaired the national house of traditional leaders, maintaining his ties with amakhosi in KwaZulu-Natal.
However, his relationship with King Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu waned, and he faced challenges within his own party, including leadership disputes and expulsions.
Mangosuthu Buthelezi’s legacy in South African politics is a complex one, marked by his role in both the apartheid era and the transition to democracy. His influence extended far beyond his political career, encompassing traditional leadership and the preservation of Zulu culture.
As South Africa mourns his passing, we remember a figure who played a pivotal role in the nation’s history.