Picture: The North West Department of Education communication team/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
The North West Department of Education Communication Directorate unit had a two-day consultative engagement at Sparkling Water Hotel in Rustenburg to sharpen their communication strategies.
The North West Department of Education spokesperson, Mphata Molokwane said communication function is the heartbeat of every organisation and effective communication may contribute to organisational success if it is well-coordinated and organised.
“Communication builds employee morale, and the satisfaction of stakeholders and promotes two-way communication with the public. Now that the year is over in a few months, the Grade 12 learners are currently writing their Preliminary Examinations.
“The Communication Directorate decided to review its communication strategy and adjust it to the current developments. Our new communication strategy will assist us in communicating the Last Push campaign, World Teachers Day, Grade 12 Final Examination, Launch of the Early Childhood Development programme, School Governing Bodies Elections, School Infrastructure programmes, etc,” he said.
Meanwhile, the acting Superintendent General, Dr Shadrack Mvula in his address, insisted that the communicator’s role should be to popularize the activities of the department.
“Our department is doing so many good things and the public needs to know about our performance. Therefore, it becomes the responsibility of the communicators to popularize those activities. Communicators need to be sharp and should be aggressive when they perform their duties.
“You need to know your operational environment and understand protocol. In your stories, learners should be the primary beneficiaries and remember that teamwork is of paramount importance,” he said.
The strategic session received presentations from Refiloe Mokoto on Risk Management, Dr Peter Kgatitsoe on Strategic Planning, Kagiso Merementsi on Priorities of Strategic Planning with regards to Government Communication and Information Services and Brian Setwambung on Priorities of the 6th administration.
According to Mvula, the directorate will implement the new communication strategy after an intensive consultation process within the highest authorities of the department.
Picture: Mud houses in North West a challenge/Google
By OBAKENG MAJE
The acting North West Premier, Nono Maloyi said coordination of services among departments and other spheres of government is critical. Maloyi said most services require more integration from the beginning until the end.
He said this during his meeting with both Human Settlements and Corporative Governance senior officials in Potchefstroom on Sunday. Maloyi further referred to the provision of services such as water, sewer, houses, and many others, which remain a serious challenge to communities.
“Issues such as the recent challenges of sewer spillages in Mahikeng. Through my intervention, the matter was attended to with the urgency it received and it is almost resolved. The Presidential District Development Model (DDM) program remains key in delivering services to the North West community.
“We need to work as one and remain united as ever. We are one government and we need to be seen working as such. This is a relay we need to keep the momentum and be seen to be working towards the same goal, which is to deliver as according to government mandate and the promises made to the North West communities,” he said.
He added that, they cannot fail the people because they working in silos. Maloyi urged North West Department of Human Settlements officials to work around the clock by prioritising the eradication of mud houses across the province.
“Currently, the department has already counted more than 30,000 mud houses and still awaiting other numbers from local municipalities. The department has therefore committed to eradicating about 1356 during the current financial year at a budget of over R198 million.
“Most milestones were recorded in Mahikeng and Moretele Local Municipalities. The meeting further focused on other key departmental service delivery programs such as the progress recorded in Deelpan village, which was hit by two devastating floods in the past few months. I was pleased to see a number of government departments sending emergency services to Deelpan, while lasting solutions were still being sorted,” said Maloyi.
He was also pleased that they have moved with speed in appointing a contractor in Deelpan, who will soon start to construct over 100 houses in phase one of the project.
Picture: Grade 11 learner, Maitshwarelo Dintwa from Pinagare High School amongst the Top 6 learners/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
The brain of a Grade 11 learner, Maitshwarelo Dintwa from Pinagare High School in Taung continues to produce more dopamine. This comes after she was selected amongst the Top 6 learners from various schools across the province to represent North West at the Aqua Enduro National Competitions.
A month ago, Manokwane village-born learner (16), scooped R40 000 after winning Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) High School Essay competition.
Dintwa said the Aqua Enduro competition is an innovative initiative aligned with the Key Strategic Objectives of the Department of Water and Sanitation to address the skills shortage in the scientific and engineering disciplines within the water sector.
“We were given different tasks and to come up with solutions. One of the tasks was to evaluate the importance of water quality. We visited various water treatments and assessed how water purification takes place.
“The competition was targeting secondary school learners in Grades 10-11, who study Physical Science and Mathematics. So, I am so grateful that I reached the top 6 position after scooping position 2. Now, we will be representing the province at the national level,” she said.
The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) spokesperson, Wisane Mavasa said: “The Water and Sanitation hosted competitions in the category of Aqua Enduro as part of the department’s Water and Sanitation Education Programme. The competitions were held between 30 August to 1 September 2023 in Rustenburg.
“As part of the competition, is to raise awareness about the importance of water quality. Twelve high schools participated in this year’s competitions and were given first-hand experience on how, where, and why water is purified.”
Mavasa further said the two-day competition was categorised into technical, posters, and Aqualibrium assessments including the learners’ mid-term school results. He added that, learners also went on an excursion to Rustenburg Waste Water Treatment Works and Bospoort Water Treatment Works to understand and witness the water purification processes.
“As with the quote “Seeing is believing”, most learners were able to piece together most of the questions they had regarding the treatment works process and finally understood how water flushed from the toilet can become potable again or fit for human consumption.
“The adjudication team from the scientific and engineering fields judiciously picked six learners who received high scores during the two days, and they are Tlhalefang Kwakwa- Trirsano High School, Malebogo Motsamai- Seleje High School, Orefilwe Thupayatlase and Maitshwarelo Dintwa– Pinagare High School, Kenosi Keorapetse- Ramotshere High School and Zanele Plaatjie- Obusitse Secondary School,” said Mavasa.
He said this Provincial Aqua Enduro team will represent the North West Province at the national competitions in October, where they will compete for tertiary studying water-related courses in their desired Universities in South Africa.
Mavasa said since its inception in 2008, the Aqua Enduro competition has awarded 129 learners from the North West with tertiary bursaries.
“This has in turn produced certified scientists, geohydrologists, environmentalists, and among others, engineers. A decade ago, Vuyo Ndaleni, who is currently a Candidate Science Technician at the Department of Water and Sanitation in North West, was also a participant in the Aqua Enduro competitions.
“She is one of many testimonies of this initiative. She has encouraged those who did not make it to the top six to never give up, but instead grab other opportunities available by the department,” he said.
There are mixed reactions to the legacy of Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi and a challenge is that as Africans, we were taught from childhood not to speak ill of the dead. However, it is extremely challenging to speak of the Prince in a positive light for some of us who were victims of the 90s violence.
Fearing to depart from the teachings I got as a child, I will not speak ill of the dead. We are a magnanimous people. I would rather use this opportunity to reflect on the heroic efforts and struggles of my forebears and struggle heroes, reflect on whether their sacrifices and struggles were worth it or were in vain?
In the 90s, I was a teenager and surrounded by despair, poverty, and violence. My mother was an activist and a community leader, so I got to understand the concepts and workings of the political struggle and the revolution. In the 80s as a child, I had witnessed the brutality of the police in the community of Jabavu and how my mother would be dragged in her night dress by the police and she would say “Ndiyekeni ndinxibe” (at least let me get dressed) as they dragged her to a police van or minibus roaring outside our yard.
I remember how my sister-in-law was kicked in the abdomen, whilst pregnant by a young Afrikaner man because they were looking for a certain Rapu and Moss as someone had told them that, my mother was seen with Rapu and Moss early on the day. They unleashed terror in our small house, kicking us and spraying teargas at a 12-year-old me.
There are many such traumatic memories I have as a child of activist parent and I promised revenge when I grow old. In the early 90s, I remember my mother being distraught about a bright young lawyer from Jabulani, who was blown by a parcel bomb, and how the young lawyer had assisted many activists.
He had a young wife and kids. My mother was in tears and I knew this was deep as she had seen so much trauma in her life, so this death and murder should have been very traumatic for her to break her like this. She cried openly in front of us, children. The young lawyer was a certain Bheki Mlangeni, which I learned from comrades in COSAS and the Youth League.
In the 90s, there was violence between hostel dwellers and township residents, and my township, White City Jabavu in Soweto, was not spared. By the age of 15, one had to be a member of Self Defence Units (SDUs) or stand aside and watch as his community was butchered. In 1991 or 1992, our bus from Orlando Stadium which was from an MK rally was attacked near Dube Hostel.
I came close to death before my 16th birthday, but we ran side-by-side to houses in Dube, next to Maponya Shops with comrade Felix Phetolo Malapane. I escaped through a generous and brave woman directing me to a “Coal Box”. I heard the footsteps of angry men saying “uphelele kuphi lomfana” from the dark coal box with tears flowing down my face.
I wondered if comrade Malapane survived (He was frail and slower than me shame) as I ran back home to White City Jabavu, with my ANC YL t-shirt in my hand to hide it, lest I met the men from hostels on my way home. We buried our young schoolmates and we had regular funerals as people we killed. They killed infants, the disabled, the old, dogs, and chickens, they did not spare any breathing species.
Having grown up in a household of activists, I was taught the history of resistance and I thought I had a responsibility to contribute to resistance. We had Khoi, San, and Xhosa warriors repelling Bartholomew Dias in as early 1400s, and laying their lives in defence of their land and livestock in the 1650s.
We had Frontier wars lasting 100 years between the AmaXhosa fighters and the British. We had Kings Moshoeshoe, Dingane, Cetshwayo, Sekhukhune, Sobhuza, Chiefs Mankuroane, Galeshewe, and many others who led the struggle against colonialism. So, it was our turn to contribute and face death.
My great great grandfather Mpotulo KaMlondleni, whose surname I carry, was shot multiple times at Cofimvaba in the 1890s by Germans and the English we are told, through oral history. He was in a battle to defend the land and stop the colonialists from going to Queenstown. He mounted a fight alongside his brother, Bolowana KaMlondleni, to the extent that people in that village, Zigudu village, named the local forest after him “Mpotulo forest”.
So, as we reflect on whatever legacy is contested of Prince Buthelezi, my reflection is not only how we fought battles with his people from IFP and the deaths of thousands of innocent people. I dare to say, that the struggle was not in vain, but it is a dream deferred as evidenced by us not having our land, people living in poverty, and our minerals in the hands of private citizens not benefiting the majority and the political elite failing to reverse the legacy with all the recourses and time in their disposal.
I see daily the poverty of the people and my patients in the clinics I work in Johannesburg South, I see the despair of young people when I go home to White City Jabavu and I avoid visiting Kasi as it seems I’m thriving in the sea of hopelessness. The death of the Prince for me, is a reminder of the determination, heroic sacrifices, and efforts of our people to be free and makes me wonder how people with a responsibility to right the wrongs of the past, people who have an opportunity to turn tears of our people to tears of joy, to fruits of freedom and prosperity, people with political power! how do you fail to carry this mandate with pride and love?
How dare you are not diligent? Franz Fanon, in his book “The Wretched of the Earth”, says post-colonial governments have a tendency not to deliver to their people. Post-colonial governments have not proven him wrong. So, when my TB patient says “Dr how do I take these tablets on an empty stomach? The sense of shame overwhelms me that in the land of plenty, my patients don’t have a meal.
As a perpetual optimist, I believe the efforts of my forebears were not in vain. The revenge against the harassment of my mother and murder of my community is through serving the community and wiping their tears and being part of efforts to make policy changes and advocate for the marginalised.
(Dr Mphothulo holds an MB CHB degree, a Diploma in HIV management from the Colleges of Medicine, a Master of Public Health Degree, and a Master of Business Leadership (MBL). Currently a Board member of the Southern African HIV Clinicians Society, a Representative of Rural Doctors Association of Southern Africa (RuDASA) in North West Province, and was South African 2017 Rural Health Conference organizing committee chairperson and conference chairperson)
Note: (Taung DailyNews’s opinion section examines high-level issues that matter to readers, mixing evergreen debates with newsy topics related to politics and policy, health, education, the economy, and more. All content is edited, fact-checked and subject to TDN’s editorial guidelines. So, the opinion raised here does not represent TDN or its Associates but remains of the author.
Picture: North West MEC for Public Works and Roads, Oageng Molapisi
By OBAKENG MAJE
North West MEC for Public Works and Roads, Gaoage Oageng Molapisi has lambasted The Mafikeng Mail newspaper over the article about the alleged dilapidating Thersa House. Molapisi alleged that, to their dismay, the article came a day after a visit to Theresa House.
“During the Nelson Mandela Drive oversight visit that took place on 6 September 2023, we took a walkabout at Theresa House, which was widely publicised across our social media platforms. Thus astonishing that the publication chooses to ignore the oversight visit.
“The department’s plans are well underway for the reconstruction and refurbishment of Theresa House. We also wish to add that, the publication did not request the latest information before going into print, thereby working against the principle of fair reporting and ensuring that the public is given accurate information,” he said.
Molapisi further said to this end, it is misleading to say that: “There are no signs that the department intends to restructure the dilapidated building” as suggested by the publication. He added that, the designs for the new Theresa House will be completed during the 3rd quarter of the 2023/2024 financial year.
“The procurement process for re-construction and refurbishment will be done in the 4th Quarter respectively” added Molapisi.
Mokgatlho wa badiri wa South African Municipal Workers Union (SAMWU) kwa masepaleng o mogolwane wa Taung, o kaile fa go gaelelwa ga badiri ba masepala kwa Gaborone, Botswana, ele matlhabisa ditlhong. Go ya kwa mokwaledi wa SAMWU kwa masepaleng, Mpho Thompson, badiri ba masepala ba le 66, ene ele karolo ya setlhopha sa metshameko go ya go emela masepala kwa Southern African Inter-Municipal Sports Association Games.
“Re bone molaetsa go tswa kwa badiri ba rona ba masepala ba ba kaileng fa ba gaeletswe, gonne masepala o sa duela borobasogo jo baneng ba robala kwa go jone. Go ya ka badiri ba, batsamaisi ba borobasogo jo, ba ile ba ba amoga makwalo a bone a mosepele (passports), mme ba kaile fa batla a newa fela fa masepala o duetse madi a ba kolotiwang. “Go ya ka ketsi ya rona, madi ao, a lekanyediwa go R400 000, fela masepala o ikaelela go duela R300 000. Jaanong, re ipotsa gore madi a tla salelang kwa morago a tlile go duelwa ke bo mang, gonne badiri bao ba ne ba ile go emela masepala. Ke lekile go letsetsa motsamaisi wa masepala wa nakwana, Adrew Makuapane, mme ga ke a mo fitlhelela,” Thompson wa tlhalosa. O kaile gape fa gona le dipego tsa gore Makuapane, o boleletse badiri bao fa ene tumelo ya gagwe e sa moletle go ka dira sepe, gonne ele letsatsi la Sabatha. Thompson o latofaditse masepala ka go dirisa setlamo se se rulaganyang maeto (Traveling Agency), mme ele sone se bakileng mathata a. “Go begilwe fa setlamo se se rulaganyang maeto se se thapilweng ke masepala ele sone sebakwa sa mathata a, gonne se kaile fela fa se tla duela R300 000. Go ya ka badiri ba ba ne ba dira dipatlisiso mabapi le leeto le, R300 000 ene e lekane, mme go kaiwa fa setlamo se, ke tsentse 30% mo godimo, mme ke ka moo madi ao a feteletse,” Thompson wa tlhalosa. Kgabagare, sebueledi sa masepala, Ricky Oliphant, o boleletse Taung DailyNews fa Makuapane ale mo ditherisanong le baeteledipele ba sepolotiki kwa masepaleng le go tla ka toga-maano a gore madi ao a maroko a kgone go duelwa. “Ke badiri ba le 66 go akaretsa le balekgotlha ba le bane ba ene ele karolo ya leeto le. Madi a ne a betswe kwa thoko go ka dirisiwa mabapi le leeto le, ene ele R300 000. Mo kgannyeng ya gore motsamaisi wa masepala o ganne go thusa, gonne ele letsatsi la Sabatha, Makuapane o tsweletse gotla ka toga-maano le fa ele leloko la Seventh Adventist Domination,” Oliphant wa tlhalosa. Kgabagare, mongwe wa badiri ba ba gaeletsweng kwa Botswana o a sa batleng leina la gagwe le itseng ka ntlheng ya go tshaba go sotlakakiwa are, batsamaisi ba masepala kgale ba goga dinao fa go tshwanetse ba dire dituelo, gonne ba ne ba batla gore ba ye Durban. “Bone ba tsamaisi bao, kgale ba ntse ba sa batle gore duelela, gonne ba ne ba batla go re tsietsa gore re ye Durban. Ebile ba ne ba re tshepisitse o re rekela di tracksuit. Jaanong, seo se bontsha fela fa ele selo sa kabomo seo se dirwang.
“Balekgotlha le Raseme-segolo (Chief Whip) ba lwanile ntwa e maswe gore re kgone go tla moo, mme ka maswabi ba ba tsamaisang masepala ga ba reetse. Se se botlhoko ke gore, ga re fa ka ntlheng ya rona, mme re tlile go emela masepala. Jaanong, ga re makala fa se sedirega gonne le fa re tla re tshwere dimetale ga mmogo le dikgele (trophies) ga ba re leboge ka sepe. Rona jaaka badiri ba masepala, ga rena sepe, maswabi ke gore re gopotse ba masika a rona.”
Picture: The founder and leader of Inkata Freedom Party, Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi/Twitter
By OBAKENG MAJE
The African National Congress (ANC) Said it is saddened by the passing of Inkata Freedom Party (IFP) leader, Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi, who died in the early hours of Saturday morning.
The ANC national spokesperson, Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri Buthelezi served as the traditional prime minister to the Zulu monarch since 1968 and in democratic South Africa, he served as the minister of Home Affairs in the Government of National Unity and a Member of Parliament (MP) up until the time of his passing.
“He joined the ANCYL as a student at the University of Fort Hare, working alongside the late Oliver Tambo, Robert Gabriel Mugabe, Mangaliso Robert Sobukwe, and other revered stalwarts of our liberation movement.
“Buthelezi became an inextricable part of South Africa’s body politic. It is well documented that, on the advice of the leadership of the liberation movement, he returned home to assume his chieftaincy role and later became Chief Minister of the KwaZulu Government (Bantustan administration), as it was agreed that, this would be in the best interests of the liberation struggle,” said Bhengu-Motsiri.
She further said, history attests to Buthelezi’s progressively strained relationship with the ANC, exacerbated by the hostile political climate of the apartheid era. Bhengu-Motsiri added that, with the ANC leadership’s blessing, Buthelezi founded Inkatha Yenkululeko Yesizwe with the view that, it would be a unit of the ANC rooted inside the country.
“At the same time, the people’s movement was banned and its leaders were in exile or some languishing in Robben Island apartheid jail. Buthelezi, who keenly reported to the ANC in Lusaka and London about developments in the country, founded the Inkatha Yenkululeko Yesizwe Party, which later morphed into what is known today as the IFPa.
“It is equally documented that in the 1980s and right into the late 90s, differences and conflicts sponsored by a third force (Apartheid regime) created a rapture resulting in horrific bloodshed in KwaZulu-Natal and in Gauteng (Transvaal as it was known then),” she said.
Bhengu-Motsiri said the rapture manifested itself in the form of the Boipatong Massacre in 1992, the Pietermaritzburg Seven-Day War (1990), the Shobashobane Massacres in 1995, and many others. She said Buthelezi had a long-cherished vision of the ANC and IFP finding lasting peace in post-apartheid South Africa and being reunited with the prized membership of the ANC, his historical political home.
“At the time of his passing, the ANC was engaged in internal discussions on how to respond to his public plea. The ANC acknowledges that Buthelezi had a multifaceted relationship with the ANC and the nation, and his legacy will be subjected to intense debate.
“However, the ANC recognises his contribution to the liberation struggle and the post-apartheid political environment. We send our sincere condolences to the family and the Zulu Royal Household in the Zulu Kingdom on the passing of Buthelezi,” said Bhengu-Motsiri.
Meanwhile, MP Princess Sibuyiselwe Angela Buthelezi said: “Buthelezi was South Africa’s truest champion and greatest servant, our father, uMntwana wa KwaPhindangene. In this devastating moment, we thank God Almighty for his faithfulness and grace, knowing with certainty that uMntwana has been embraced by His Lord.
“He quietly and painlessly stepped into eternity in the early hours of this morning. We realise that, this loss will be deeply felt by many and that many will wish to express their condolences and pay their respects in the days ahead.”
Buthelezi said the family will engage His Majesty the King and the Royal Family, His Excellency the President, the Buthelezi clan, and the leadership of the IFP as the necessary funeral arrangements are made.
Picture: North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi celebrating International Literacy Day with learners in Motswedi village, near Zeerust/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi calls on districts to ensure that, schools continue to celebrate International Literacy Day. Motsumi joined the world in celebrating International Literacy Day held at Motswedi Community Hall, in Motswedi village, outside Zeerust on Friday.
She said the International Literacy Day was held under the theme: “Promoting literacy for a world in transition: Building the foundation for sustainable and peaceful societies.” About 250 people which consisted of parents and learners from Motswedi village, attended the provincial event to celebrate International Literacy Day.
“Learners were given an opportunity to present poems, short stories, and their reading skills. The idea of International Literacy Day was first mentioned at the World Conference of Ministers of Education in 1965. The conference served as a fertile ground for the germination of the idea of a special day dedicated to promoting literacy on a global scale.
“UNESCO indicated that, literacy is a cause for celebration since there are now close to four billion literate people in the world. However, literacy for all children, youth, and adults is still an unaccomplished goal and an ever-moving target,” said Motsumi.
She further urged all four districts to celebrate International Literacy Day for the whole of September month. Motsumi added that, this exercise will encourage and strengthen the culture of reading amongst learners.
“It is our role as government to ensure that, we eradicate the scores of illiteracy through the provision of quality education. There are so many advantages associated with literacy and it is a human rights issue in our country. The constitution emphasises that every learner has a right to education.
“In protecting this right to education, our teachers and departmental officials will continue to support learners to be better individuals in the future. For the month of September, learners will be told about the history, importance, and purpose of celebrating,” she said.
Motsumi said learners will be encouraged to participate in storybooks, poems, individual reading, etc.
Picture: The missing Yanya Siyila (27) found in hospital/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
The missing Yanya Siyila (27) was found in the hospital with assault wounds after one of the community members recognised him on social media. The North West police spokesperson, Col Adele Myburgh said Siyila is currently admitted in a hospital after an alleged assault.
“The police appreciate the community’s assistance by being our eyes and ears and ensuring that the family could be reunited. Siyila, who resides in Moyomo Section, Luka village, outside Phokeng went missing on 26 August 2023.
“He was last seen by his brother at midnight on 26 August 2023, whilst visiting a local tavern in Luka with friends. A search was conducted around the township and surrounding areas of Luka without any success.,” she said.
Myburgh further said at the time of Siyila’s disappearance, he was wearing a blue T-shirt, brown trousers, and a black jacket.
Picture: The Inkata Freedom Party leader, Prince Magosuthu Buthelezi/Twitter
By OBAKENG MAJE
Heartfelt condolence messages continue to pour in after the death of the Inkata Freedom Party (IFP) president, Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi, who passed away in the early hours of 9 September 2023. The president of the Republic of South Africa (RSA), Cyril Ramaphosa said Buthelezi died just two weeks after he celebrated his 95th birthday.
“I am deeply saddened to announce the passing of Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi, the Prince of KwaPhindangene, Traditional Prime Minister to the Zulu Monarch and Nation, and the Founder and President Emeritus of the Inkatha Freedom Party.
“Buthelezi has been an outstanding leader in the political and cultural life of our nation, including the ebbs and flows of our liberation struggle, the transition which secured our freedom in 1994 and our democratic dispensation,” said Ramaphosa.
He further said his thoughts and prayers go out to the Royal Household, who have been blessed to share uMntwana waKwaPhindangene’s extended lifetime with them, as well as to the Zulu Nation and the leadership and membership of the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP).
Ramaphosa added that, announcements will be made in due course, based on consultations between the government and the family on the arrangements to mourn and honour the Inkosi of the Buthelezi clan as a formidable leader, who has played a significant role in the country’s history for seven decades.
“We shall, in due course, reflect more extensively on his extraordinary life and diverse contributions to the development of our nation. At this point in time, we embrace the Buthelezi clan in their mourning and pray that the soul of the Prince rests in peace,” he said.
Also, the National Assembly (NA) speaker, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula paid tribute following Buthelezi’s passing. Mapisa-Nqakula said it is with heavy hearts to pay tribute to a towering figure in the nation’s history and a beloved Member of Parliament (MP), Buthelezi.
“His passing marks the end of an era, leaving behind a legacy that will forever inspire us and guide our path as a nation. Buthelezi’s contributions to Parliament were nothing short of remarkable. He embarked on this parliamentary journey in 1994, at the inception of our democratic rule.
“From that moment, he became a guiding light, illuminating our legislative halls with his wisdom and unwavering commitment to serving our great nation. His presence was a source of wisdom that consistently guided our work in Parliament,” she said.
The Guardian 