By Celani Sikhakhane
- The Patriotic Front group from Zambia went to Ulundi to lay a wreath at Mangosuthu Buthelezi’s resting place on Thursday.
- Inkatha Freedom Party leaders thanked late president Kenneth Kaunda for keeping South African freedom fighters safe during the apartheid years.
A group of politicians from Zambia visited the grave of Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) founder Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi in Ulundi on Thursday.
The leaders travelled to the town to lay a wreath where Buthelezi is buried. The visitors belong to the Patriotic Front, which is an opposition party in Zambia.
The group included former government ministers and senior officials. Makebi Zulu, who is the president of the Patriotic Front and the Pomodzi Alliance, led the visitors.
Top IFP leaders met the group to welcome them. The welcoming team included IFP national chairperson Blessed Gwala, secretary general Siphosethu Ngcobo and general secretary of administration Mfanje Mbango.
The Zambian politicians said the trip was a chance to build stronger cultural and historical ties between their country and South Africa.
During the meeting, IFP leaders praised the late Zambian president Kenneth Kaunda. They thanked Kaunda for giving a safe home to South African freedom fighters who had to leave the country during the apartheid years.
The IFP said it shares a long history with Zambia. Kaunda played a big role in the early days of the IFP.
“During a visit by Prince Buthelezi to Zambia in 1974, Dr Kaunda advised the establishment of a membership-based organisation to unify and mobilise South Africans in the struggle for freedom,” the IFP said.
Following this advice, Buthelezi started the party in 1975. At the time, the group was called Inkatha yeNkululeko yeSizwe.
The IFP said the meeting showed its plan to work with other African groups. The party said it wants to partner with leaders who respect democracy, good government and cultural history.
Pictured above: IFP national chairperson Blessed Gwala and Patriotic Front president Makebi Zulu before visiting Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi’s grave in Nkonjeni.
Image source: IFP
