https://en.sputniknews.africa/20230916/he-loved-his-country-south-africans-gather-to-pay-tribute-to-late-zulu-prince-buthelezi-1062156908.html
'He Loved his Country': South Africans Gather to Pay Tribute to Late Zulu Prince Buthelezi
'He Loved his Country': South Africans Gather to Pay Tribute to Late Zulu Prince Buthelezi
Sputnik Africa
Mangosuthu Buthelezi, the traditional prime minister of the Zulu nation, South Africa's largest ethnic group, and the founder of the Inkatha Freedom Party... 16.09.2023, Sputnik Africa
2023-09-16T15:37+0200
2023-09-16T15:37+0200
2023-09-16T15:37+0200
sub-saharan africa
prince mangosuthu buthelezi
southern africa
south africa
african national congress (anc)
cyril ramaphosa
politics
zulu people
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Thousands of mourners gathered Saturday at a stadium in the town of Ulundi, the ancient capital of the Zulu Kingdom in KwaZulu-Natal Province in eastern South Africa, for the state funeral of Mangosuthu Buthelezi.The veteran South African politician, Zulu prince, whose long career spanned the dawn of apartheid and its demise, died last week at the age of 95.People, some dressed in traditional Zulu outfits made of leopard and other animal skins and carrying shields made of cow hides, gathered at the stadium to pay tribute to the deceased. They danced and sang before the service.According to local media reports, Amabutho (traditional Zulu warroirs) regiments performed traditional song and dance at Buthelezi's royal homestead in KwaPhindangene on Friday morning in honor of the late Zulu prince. Two giraffes and other wild animals, including impalas, were slaughtered and skinned the same morning as part of the ritual preparations.President Cyril Ramaphosa and other prominent political figures, including former president Jacob Zuma (an ethnic Zulu), attended the ceremony. The incumbent president delivered the eulogy at the special official funeral of former IFP leader.The South African government wrote on its social media that while Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi's focus was largely on the Zulu nation, he "never failed to act as a statesman" on behalf of his country. He is "mourned by countless friends" from around the world and is "deeply loved and admired by many."Buthelezi, the founder of the IFP, served two terms as Minister of Home Affairs in the post-apartheid government from 1994 to 2004 after coming to an agreement with the ruling African National Congress (ANC).In July, Buthelezi undergone a procedure for back pain and was later readmitted to hospital when the pain did not subside. According to a statement released by his family, Buthelezi died "quietly and painlessly."
https://en.sputniknews.africa/20230909/zulu-prince-mangosuthu-buthelezi-dies-aged-95-1061981594.html
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prince mangosuthu buthelezi, southern africa, south africa, african national congress (anc), cyril ramaphosa, politics, zulu people
prince mangosuthu buthelezi, southern africa, south africa, african national congress (anc), cyril ramaphosa, politics, zulu people
'He Loved his Country': South Africans Gather to Pay Tribute to Late Zulu Prince Buthelezi
Mangosuthu Buthelezi, the traditional prime minister of the Zulu nation, South Africa's largest ethnic group, and the founder of the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), died on September 9. This came just two weeks after he celebrated his 95th birthday.
Thousands of mourners gathered Saturday at a stadium in the town of Ulundi, the ancient capital of the Zulu Kingdom in KwaZulu-Natal Province in eastern South Africa, for the state funeral of Mangosuthu Buthelezi.
The veteran South African politician, Zulu prince, whose long career spanned the dawn of apartheid and its demise,
died last week at the age of 95.
People, some dressed in traditional Zulu outfits made of leopard and other animal skins and carrying shields made of cow hides, gathered at the stadium to pay tribute to the deceased. They danced and sang before the service.
According to local media reports, Amabutho (traditional Zulu warroirs) regiments performed traditional song and dance at Buthelezi's royal homestead in KwaPhindangene on Friday morning in honor of the late Zulu prince. Two giraffes and other wild animals, including impalas, were slaughtered and skinned the same morning as part of the ritual preparations.
President Cyril Ramaphosa and other prominent political figures, including former president Jacob Zuma (an ethnic Zulu), attended the ceremony. The incumbent president delivered the eulogy at the special official funeral of former IFP leader.
The South African government wrote on its social media that while Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi's focus was largely on the Zulu nation, he "never failed to act as a
statesman" on behalf of his country. He is "mourned by countless friends" from around the world and is "deeply loved and admired by many."
"Regardless of positions held or awards received or accolades bestowed on him, the Prince remained a humble servant of the people. Once, when asked by a group of students how he wanted to be remembered, he said, 'I will be happy if they say of me 'He loved his country'," read the statement.
Buthelezi, the founder of the IFP, served two terms as Minister of Home Affairs in the post-apartheid government from 1994 to 2004 after coming to an agreement with the ruling African National Congress (ANC).
In July, Buthelezi
undergone a procedure for back pain and was later readmitted to hospital when the pain did not subside. According to a statement released by his family, Buthelezi died "quietly and painlessly."
