- (This is an example of the hatred the ANC has built up
for a moderate, reasonable Zulu like Buthelezi. The ANC and IFP killed
thousands of each other's supporters in a secret Civil War in KwaZulu/Natal
in the last years of Apartheid. The full extent of that was has never been
revealed. -- Jan)
-
- Such is the extent of hatred from some South Africans,
that as his son lay dying in a Durban hospital, a patient was overheard
saying he wished he could shoot him dead, says Inkatha Freedom Party leader
Mangosuthu Buthelezi.
-
- "Everybody praises me for divulging that my son
Nelisuzulu died of Aids, but there is something that really breaks my heart
which happened to my son two weeks before he died," Buthelezi said
in an interview with Independent Newspapers.
-
- A male nurse told Prince Nelisuzulu that two patients
had been discussing the fact that "Buthelezi's son is here".
-
- 'These trappings mean nothing, because I was born into
a leadership position'
-
- "One of them said: 'If I had a gun I would just
finish him off,' merely because he was my son," a visibly upset Buthelezi
said.
-
- That same night stones were thrown through the window
of his son's hospital room "when he was on his death bed".
-
- "I mean, the extent of hatred."
-
- "The embers under the ashes are something that people
in South Africa do not understand."
-
- He was referring to the enmity between his followers
and those of the African National Congress, which saw thousands of lives
lost in the run up to the 1994 democratic elections, and eventually saw
the two parties co-operating at national and provincial level in the interests
of reconciliation.
-
- Buthelezi was also trying to explain why bodyguards -
which he believes are a necessity and not a status symbol - will be part
of his daily existence as an ordinary member of parliament.
-
- "Actually, looking after my safety may not be something
that should be done just for Mangosuthu Buthelezi, but people must look
forward and imagine for instance what would happen if I were killed."
-
- Buthelezi said he was entitled to VIP protection as a
former cabinet minister until the end of the month.
-
- "I'm sure that my party will provide that, but in
fact I was told that Mr Nqakula (Safety and Security Minister Charles Nqakula)
was going to speak to me about other arrangements. I don't know what arrangements."
-
- Asked about the trappings of power such as official cars
and residences that he will lose now that he is no longer a cabinet minister,
he said: "These trappings mean nothing, because I was born into a
leadership position."
-
- Buthelezi referred to his ancestor King Cetshwayo, of
also being the great-grandson of the king's prime minister, Mnyamana -
the commander-in-chief of the Zulu armies during the South African War
- as well as being the grandson of King Dinuzulu on his mother's side.
-
- Buthelezi again dismissed speculation that he would quit
politics before the end of his five-year term or step down as leader of
the IFP.
-
- "It would be a shame on my ancestors who were great
warriors if I were to abandon my party when it needs me most." - Political
Editor
-
- This article was originally published on page 4 of The
Pretoria News on May 24, 2004
-
- Source: Independent Online (IOL)
-
- http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?index.php?click_id=13&art_i
d=vn20040524034957286C106927&set_id=1
|
