Celani Sikhakhane
The leader of the National Freedom Party and former Deputy Minister of Science and Technology, Zanele KaMagwaza-Msibi, has died at the age of 59.
NFP Secretary-General, Canaan Mdletshe, confirmed the passing of KaMagwaza-Msibi who died in the early hours of Monday morning.
She was known as the prodigal daughter of Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi after she left the IFP to form the National Freedom Party in February 2011.
KaMagwaza-Msibi suffered a stroke in 2014 just six months after being appointed deputy minister by then president Jacob Zuma and she never fully recovered.
Her ambition to be the president of the IFP led to her expulsion from the party she joined at a very young age.
While she was the national chairperson of the IFP and the mayor of Zululand District Municipality, she challenged the presidency of Dr Mangosuthu Buthelezi.
KaMagwaza-Msibi was accused of being used by ANC heavyweights Dr Zweli Mkhize, Tokyo Sexwale and businessman Peter Paul Ngwenya to form the NFP to dislodge the IFP in various municipalities in KZN.
She was the mother of uZalo actress, Gugu Gumede.
