MESSAGE OF CONDOLENCES FROM
PRINCE MANGOSUTHU BUTHELEZI MP
INKOSI OF THE BUTHELEZI CLAN
TRADITIONAL PRIME MINISTER TO THE
ZULU MONARCH AND NATION AND
PRESIDENT OF THE INKATHA FREEDOM PARTY
READ ON HIS BEHALF BY
HIS WORSHIP ALDERMAN PS NGUBANE
EXECUTIVE MAYOR OF UMZINYATHI DISTRICT MUNICIPALITY
As Inkosi Bhekamahlongwa Khawula is laid to rest, I send you my deepest condolences. I pray that you will take comfort in the words of the Apostle Paul who writes in 1 Corinthians – “Blessed be God… the Father of mercies… who consoles us in all our affliction…”
I regret not being with you in person today, for Inkosi Khawula was like a son to me. His father and I worked together in the service of our people for many years. Inkosi Khawula’s home is my home. Because of my friendship with his late father, I consider myself a father to Inkosi Bhekamahlongwa Khawula.
But unfortunately I committed some time ago to attend the wedding of Inkosi Sbonelo Mkhize today, and a charter flight was arranged to take me there. Like Inkosi Khawula, Inkosi Mkhize is also a son of my friend. I worked with his father and his grandfather. Nevertheless, while I cannot be physically present as we lay Inkosi Khawula to rest, my thoughts and my prayers are with you.
I share your sorrow today, not only because of my friendship with the family, but because of our family ties. The late Inkosi’s mother is the sister-in-law of my first cousin, Princess Calalimi ka Solomon ka Dinuzulu. I was present at their wedding when my cousin married Inkosi Alphaeus Madlala in 1947. So I am tied to the Khawula family.
I therefore extend my condolences to my own family, when I say to the Khawula family that this loss is difficult to bear. Inkosi Bhekamahlongwa Khawula was still a young man who should have served his Clan for many more years. It saddens me to know that he was taken so soon.
I still remember the grief we all felt at the passing of his father. He and I were installed as Amakhosi around the same time, in the nineteen fifties. At meetings of Amakhosi, we were always the youngest, so we naturally stood together and supported each other. We quickly became close friends.
When I founded Inkatha yeNkululeko yeSizwe in 1975, Inkosi Khawula senior was a founding member. He became a prominent leader of Inkatha, for which, I am sorry to say, he paid a high price, particularly during the time of people’s war when those who should have been brothers were pitted against each other.
His death left a void among us. It was a loss deeply felt by the whole organisation. Even now, years later, I remain grateful to him for his loyalty. I am equally grateful to his son, Inkosi Khawula, who chose to support me. He was a staunch member of the IFP.
But he was, first and foremost, a servant of the people and a man of peace. I therefore appeal that peace should prevail as we mourn his passing, so that Inkosi Khawula can rest in peace. I also appeal to the Traditional Council to support his widow as she takes over the affairs of the Khawula Clan.
This has been the way of our people for generations. When I served as Chief Minister of the KwaZulu Government, I ensured that legislation was passed on this very aspect of traditional and customary law. That legislation ensured that when a traditional leader dies, his widow acts for his son until he is of age to take the leadership.
I did this so that the issue would be clear to everyone, and there would be no noise following the death of an Inkosi.
There is enough pain already. We have lost a respected leader. As we grieve his passing, we stand alongside the Hlongwa Clan. We extend condolences to the late Inkosi’s brother, the Honourable Mr Mntomuhle Khawula, with whom I work in Parliament. We extend condolences as well to our colleague, the Honourable Mr Hlengwa, who has lost an uncle.
My thoughts today are with the Hlengwa and Khawula families. I pray that the Lord, the Father of mercies, will console you in your affliction. Please know that you have our deepest sympathy and our full support.
May our hearts be healed in the fullness of time, and may Inkosi Khawula rest in peace.
