Buthelezi's legacy lives on as his resting place is declared a heritage site

The declaration of the resting place of Inkosi Mangosuthu Buthelezi as a provincial heritage site not only immortalises the catalytic life of a phenomenon that comes once in a lifetime but also adds to the understanding of the historical declaration of gravesites in historicising the role played by individuals such as Inkosi Buthelezi.

How ironic that his resting place is declared a provincial heritage in the year the party he founded, the Inkatha Political Party, celebrates 50 years since its inception.

Emerging first as the Inkatha Cultural Movement on March 21, 1975, before transforming into a full-fledged political party in 1994, the IFP has occupied a unique space in our nation’s political consciousness. The party’s intellectual and ideological contributions to South African politics remain undeniable.

To speak of the IFP is to speak of Inkosi Mangosuthu Buthelezi. The two are inextricably intertwined in a symbiotic relationship that shaped South African politics for half a century. Inkosi Buthelezi was not merely the IFP’s founder but its living embodiment—a political colossus whose leadership blended traditional authority with modern statecraft and cultural pride with democratic vision. His nearly 50 years at the IFP’s helm produced a legacy both celebrated and contested, but never insignificant.

Under his guidance, the IFP became more than a political party—it emerged as a vehicle for cultural affirmation, a bulwark against apartheid’s dehumanisation, and eventually a key player in South Africa’s democratic transition. The institutions he established—from the Mangosuthu University of Technology to Ithala Bank—stand as enduring testaments to his practical vision for development.

What truly distinguished Buthelezi was his remarkable political resilience. In the face of sustained vilification from both apartheid apologists and radical liberationists, he maintained an unshakeable commitment to his principles.

His ability to withstand decades of political pressure while keeping his movement intact speaks to a leadership quality rarely seen in contemporary politics.

Even his fiercest critics came to acknowledge, often grudgingly, the steel in his character and the consistency of his vision.

If Inkosi Buthelezi could guide in the deliberations of his character, his love of truth would say with Othello: “Speak of me as I am; nothing extenuate, nor set down aught in malice.”

Beyond the political achievements, Buthelezi’s true legacy lies in the quality of his leadership. He embodied a rare combination of intellectual rigour and emotional intelligence, principled stance and pragmatic flexibility. His famous modesty—often disarming to those expecting the pomp of traditional leadership—masked a formidable intellect and unyielding moral compass.

Those privileged to interact with him personally recall not just the statesman but the man—his quick wit, his attentive listening, and his unexpected humour in private moments. These human qualities, often lost in political analysis, were integral to his leadership style. He understood that true leadership connects at a human level before it inspires at a political level.

His approach to governance rejected the simplistic binaries that often dominate African politics. While uncompromising in his opposition to apartheid, he rejected the armed struggle in favour of negotiation and institution-building. While deeply rooted in Zulu tradition, he embraced modern democratic principles.

This ability to navigate complexity without losing sight of fundamental principles may be his most valuable lesson for contemporary leaders. Leonard Woolf once posited, “It is the journey, and not arrival, that matters.”

With his steadfast dedication and commitment, Buthelezi made every step of the journey count. It behoves us to mark the contours of this vast shore with statues, memorials and monuments that celebrate, commemorate and remind us of the heroes and heroines who wrested it from depths of despair.

With regards to Buthelezi, his statue must not only be erected on the land of his great-grandfathers but also in the hearts of those he served and led with great humility and amazing diligence.

We need to have a high sense of value in the places where our giants and forebears are finally rested. We cannot reduce the priceless significance of their resting places into some supposedly unaffordable figure.

It cannot be expressed officially that 'there is no budget, or not enough budget' to maintain the cemeteries of our kings, princes, and princesses. Such places are the epicentre of our dignity as a glorious nation that is respected all over the world.

In one aspect of his life, when the man met his hour, he had been as outstanding as anyone in the history of South Africa’s liberation struggle had been. Regarding Buthelezi, people, especially his critics, have been firing out opinions at random in the hope that one, now and again, would hit the target.

When their opinions could not pulverise Buthelezi, his detractors resorted to mythmaking and romanticisation of history. The false and romanticised pictures we have of him are because of such myths, which have robbed us of not only being presented with an honest interpretation of the political career of the Prince of KwaPhindangene but also as a huge obstacle to understanding the remarkably outstanding leadership Inkosi Buthelezi magnanimously and unselfishly provided.

Buthelezi was the 21st-century statesman with a generational legacy of intelligence, compassion, and perseverance. The task of the coming generation is not to tear down but to rebuild and build anew. In that task, Buthelezi must be one of our pre-eminent guides.

Maya Angelou, the world-renowned African American poet, said, “If you’re going to live, leave a legacy. Make a mark on the world that can’t be erased.”

Through his tireless commitment and numerous contributions to humanity, Inkosi Mangosuthu Buthelezi has left an enduring legacy that cannot be erased. His legacy is deep and wide. Again, in the words of Angelou, “We can be, be and be better" because Inkosi Mangosuthu Buthelezi existed.

(Dr Shongwe works in the Department of Sport, Arts, and Culture in KwaZulu-Natal and writes in his personal capacity. His views don't necessarily reflect those of the Sunday Tribune or IOL)