South African Zulu Leader Mangosuthu Buthelezi Passes Away at 95

Mangosuthu Buthelezi, a prominent figure in South African politics and the outspoken chief of the Zulu people, has passed away at the age of 95. He played a significant role during the apartheid era, founding the Zulu Inkatha party after becoming disillusioned with the African National Congress (ANC). The early 1990s saw clashes between supporters of the ANC and Inkatha, resulting in the deaths of thousands. Despite their differences, Buthelezi was later welcomed back into the ANC and served as President Nelson Mandela's minister of home affairs. He was known for his controversial views, disagreeing with the ANC's use of armed action against white-minority rule and adopting a moderate approach as leader of the ethnic-Zulu homeland. Furthermore, Buthelezi opposed international sanctions on South Africa, believing they would harm the country's black majority. The ANC accused him of collaborating with the white-minority government during the clashes, which prompted fears of a civil war and potential derailing of the transition to democracy. However, Buthelezi consistently denied these allegations. President Cyril Ramaphosa paid tribute to Buthelezi, describing him as a formidable leader who played a significant role in South Africa's history for seven decades. Buthelezi passed away in the early hours of Saturday, two weeks after his 95th birthday. As the hereditary chief of the Zulu people, South Africa's largest ethnic group, he hailed from the Zulu royal family. Buthelezi even portrayed his own great-grandfather, Zulu King Cetshwayo, in the film "Zulu" released in 1964. He served as the prime minister of KwaZulu, the Zulu homeland, and founded the Inkatha Freedom Party—a Zulu political and cultural movement—in 1975. After leading the party for 44 years, Buthelezi stepped down as its leader in 2019.