Celani Sikhakhane
NFP leaders still believe that the “hijacking” of Zanele KaMagwaza Msibi’s first government event by ANC leadership in 2014 caused her stroke.
In November 2014, Msibi who was Deputy of Science and Technology was to be a keynote speaker at an event in ULundi but the government told her to withdraw and sent the then minister Naledi Pandor at the last minute.
The event was attended by many NFP leaders, councillors and MPs but NFP public representatives were removed from the programme.
“The following day she was struck down by a stroke at her home in Newcastle,” said one of Msibi’s closest friends, NFP Nongoma mayor, Jeremiah Mavundla, speaking at Msibi’s funeral held at an old KZN Legislature in ULundi on Saturday.
Mavundla said Msibi was abused by men in the IFP but after she founded her party she was betrayed by the ANC.
At the time ANC felt that Msibi was using her Department to get more support in Zululand, a political hot potato for many political parties in KZN.
ANC Provincial Executive Committee member, Mec Bongi Sithole Moloi said Msibi’s political power posed a serious threat to ANC women.
“ANC women saw a serious challenge from Msibi. It was difficult to get votes from any IFP strongholds because of her,” said Moloi.
IFP Nhlanhla Msimang said besides their political differences, Msibi made her mark in every task she was ever given.
Msibi’s husband Mandla Msibi and her daughter Gugu Gumede described her as a fighter who beat death when she was told by doctors that her life had come to an end years ago.
She was laid to rest at her family cemetery in ULundi. She is survived by her husband, two children Gugu and Melusi and one grandchild.
