When Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi turned 94 a year ago, he just had one wish: that the IFP and ANC would reconcile.

PRINCE MANGOSUTHU BUTHELEZI’S EXACT WORDS

Buthelezi made this declaration in 2022, the month of his birthday.

“My wish was that, when I finally close my eyes in death, I will know that the wound between the Party I founded and the Party I grew up in had finally been healed,” he remarked.

According to Buthelezi, the IFP and the ruling party engaged in lengthy peace negotiations.

“I recall that Madiba never disparaged me even during the height of the propaganda effort against me.

We kept in touch over the course of his detention, and he even persuaded me to go see Mr. Oliver Tambo in Lusaka so that we could work out our problems.

Unfortunately, there was already a plot to kill me, so I was unable to leave, according to Buthelezi.

“When Madiba was released from prison, we continued to discuss reconciliation, and we made a solid pledge to speak at joint rallies to signal to our followers that the time for hostility was ended.

We had no desire for violence. It was crucial that we communicate that message as a team, continued Buthelezi.

KZN ANC LEADERSHIP MEETS RESISTANCE WITH EFFORTS

Buthelezi claimed that despite his efforts to bring about peace, despite the ANC leadership’s national level desire to act, their comrades in KwaZulu-Natal consistently obstructed it.

IFP seizes further ANC Wards in KZN

Buthelezi’s health deteriorated, causing him to spend the past few months under medical monitoring, so the fulfilment of this dream could not be completed.

THIS MORNING SEES DEATH OF IFP FOUNDER

Just two months after celebrating his 95th birthday, the Prime Minister of the Zulu country passed suddenly in the wee hours of Saturday morning, September 9, 2023.

In July, he had been brought to the hospital due to complications after a back pain treatment procedure.