Prince Mangosothu Buthelezi and Irene Audrey Thandekile Mzila: Their untold story
The news of the passing away of Prince Mangosothu Buthelezi on 9 September 2023 came as a shock to South Africans. The prince and his wife of 67 years, Irene Audrey Thandekile Mzila, played a significant role in South Africa's politics. What makes their story so interesting?
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If you are conversant with South Africa's politics and history, you will have heard of Mangosuthu Buthelezi and Irene Audrey Thandekile Mzila. Buthelezi was a prominent Zulu leader, politician and founder of the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP). The couple played significant roles in the country's fight for freedom.
How was Mangosuthu Buthelezi related to the King?
Mangosuthu was the firstborn child of Mathole, the traditional leader of the Buthelezi clan. Because of his birth, he was a descendant of a line of influential Zulu chiefs, and his mother was the daughter of King Dinuzulu kaCetshwayo.
The late Mangosuthu Buthelezi's siblings are two: Princess Morgina Dotwana and Gogo Elphina Ncwane.
The Prince attended the University of Fort Hare and the University of Natal, where he studied history and Bantu administration. He became involved in the African National Congress (ANC) Youth League but was expelled for political activities.
How old was Mangosuthu Buthelezi?
He was 95 years old when he died. He was born on 27 August 1928 in Mahlabatini, KwaZulu-Natal.
Who is the father of Mangosuthu Buthelezi?
His father was Chief Mathole Buthelezi, the leader of the Buthelezi clan in Mahlabathini, a town in the KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa. He died in 1933 when Mangosuthu was only four years old.
Who is the mother of Mangosuthu Buthelezi?
Princess Magogo kaDinuzulu was the daughter of former Zulu King Dinuzulu and sister of the incumbent King Solomon kaDinuzulu1. She was also a famous singer of traditional Zulu songs before she died in 1984 at 84.
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What is Mangosuthu Buthelezi known for?
In 1953, he became the hereditary chief of the Buthelezi clan of Zulus, and in 1970, he became the chief executive officer of the Zulu Territorial Authority. In 1976, he became the chief minister of the KwaZulu homeland, a self-governing territory for Zulus under the apartheid regime.
The activist opposed the creation of independent homelands and advocated for a non-violent struggle against apartheid. He also revived a Zulu cultural association and renamed it Inkatha ye Nkululeke ye Sizwe (National Cultural Liberation Movement), which later became a political party, the IFP.
Buthelezi rejected the ANC's armed struggle and called for international sanctions against South Africa, arguing that they would harm the black majority. He also clashed with the ANC over the role and status of Zulus in post-apartheid South Africa, fearing that a centralised government would marginalise them.
Mangosuthu played a constructive role in the negotiations that led to the end of apartheid and the first democratic elections in 1994. He participated in the elections after securing federalism and traditional leadership concessions.
The Prince's first party, the IFP, won 10.5% of the national vote and became the ruling party in KwaZulu-Natal. Buthelezi remained the leader of the IFP until 2019 when he stepped down at the age of 90.
Who was Mangosuthu Buthelezi's wife?
Irene Audrey Thandekile Mzila was the wife of Mangosothu. She died at 89 on Monday, 25 March 2019, after a long and challenging illness in Mangosuthu Buthelezi's home.
Prince Mangosothu Buthelezi and Irene Audrey Thandekile Mzila's story
Irene was married to Buthelezi for almost 67 years. She was a nursing student when she met Mangosuthu Buthelezi at a wedding in January 1949. They fell in love and married on 2 July 1952, when he was a University of Fort Hare student.
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She moved with him to Mahlabathini in KwaZulu-Natal, where he became the hereditary chief of the Buthelezi clan in 1953. She adapted to rural life and embraced the Zulu culture, learning the language and customs. She also became involved in community development projects, such as health care, education and women's empowerment.
The princess also endured many hardships and losses with her husband, such as the assassination attempts on his life. The death of five of their children and the violence between the IFP and the ANC that claimed thousands of lives were also part.
Through it all, she remained loyal, faithful and supportive to him, offering him comfort, advice and encouragement. She was his rock, his anchor and his soulmate. Sharing an experience about Irene, the late prince said:
My schedule and my responsibilities have always been demanding. For years, I was fortunate to have Princess Irene travel with me when I visited other countries...For years, Princess Irene and I have suffered diabetes. At our age, it is unusual not to have health complaints. But the Lord has blessed us with strong constitutions.
She was also a woman of faith who prayed for him and their family daily until her death. Her husband delivered a moving eulogy in which he said:
Does Mangosuthu Buthelezi have children?
Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi and Irene had eight children and were married for over six decades. Three children survived their parents. Here is a list of their names with their dates of birth:
- Princess Phumzile Nokuphiwa (born 1953)
- Prince Ntuthukoyezwe Zuzifa (born 1955)
- Princess Lethuxolo (born 1957, died 2014)
- Prince Phumaphesheya (born 1959, died 2016)
- Princess Mandisi Sibukakonke (born 1961, died 2004)
- Princess Sibuyiselwe Angela (born 1969)
- Prince Nelisuzulu Benedict (born 1974, died 2004)
- Prince Zuzifa Mxolisi (born 1976, died 2019)
Is Mangosuthu Buthelezi still alive?
Mangosuthu died on 9 September 2023 at 95 years old. He was hospitalised on 1 August 2023 due to back problems but released on 2 September 2023 before he passed a week later.
Prince Mangosothu Buthelezi and his wife Irene Audrey Thandekile Mzila were dedicated to serving people and their country. Born into the Zulu royal family, they witnessed the turbulent times of colonialism, apartheid, and democracy. They faced several challenges and tragedies but also achieved many successes and honours.
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Source: Briefly News
