The Editor
The New Age
Via email: [email protected]
Dear Sir:
I have taken note Chris Makhaye’s article titled “Battle for Zululand heats up” in which he suggests that the IFP President Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi had intentionally not attended two royal functions recently held in KwaZulu Natal; that is the unveiling of tombstones of the late senior Prince Mcwayizeni Zulu and Princess Phikisile kaDinuzulu. These functions were attended and addressed by His Majesty King Goodwill Zwelithini and President Jacob Zuma.
The IFP President refuted these false allegations in a written response to your paper. But it was never published.
The facts are as follows. In a letter written to Prince Buthelezi by the ANC’s Provincial Secretary Sichle Zikalala dated 14 March 2011, the ANC extended an invitation to the IFP President to attend these two functions. But the letter did not indicate when the events would take place. No dates were given.
Prince Buthelezi never received confirmation from the Nxangiphilile and Sokesimbone households that these ceremonies would take place. He was therefore unable to attend simply because he was not properly informed. His absence was neither intentional nor indicative of anything sinister.
Publishing the wrong information is just bad journalism. But Mr Makhaye’s article is made worse by failing to present the news in a fair and balanced manner. If newspapers like the New Age hope to survive in the 21st century, their primary goal must be uncovering the truth and presenting it objectively. What matters is truth and balance.
Liezl van der Merwe
Press Liaison Officer to Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi MP
