Cape Town – The IFP Youth Brigade (IFPYB) has reportedly clashed with the ANC Youth League (ANCYL) over the idea of erecting a statue of Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi outside the KwaZulu-Natal legislature.
According to Times Live, during Buthelezi’s memorial service, IFP provincial chair Thami Ntuli called for the statue and renaming a local municipality in his honour.
The ANCYL criticised Ntuli, viewing it as undermining the Zulu kings.
“It is not only an insult to suggest that a statue of Prince Buthelezi must be erected alongside the statue of the king in the legislature. We view this as part of an ongoing effort to undermine all the kings of the Zulu nation. No other person has equal status as the king. To suggest that another statue should be erected alongside the king’s statue should be viewed within the context of a bigger agenda. The mission is to trample on the pride, heritage and symbols that define the indigenous people,” the report quoted the league as saying.
They accused Ntuli of previously erecting a statue of Buthelezi alongside that of King Cetshwayo and renaming a building after him as an election tactic.
The IFPYB, however, defended Buthelezi’s legacy and criticised the ANCYL for their statements.
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“It’s not uncommon for the prime minister of the Zulu nation to have a special place within the king’s court.
“How does it insult King Cetshwayo to remember Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi served as traditional prime minister to King Cyprian Bhekuzulu Ka Solomon, to King Goodwill Zwelithini and King Misuzulu, our current king?,” the IFPYB said.
This dispute reflects ongoing tensions between the IFP and ANC, with reconciliation seemingly unlikely at this time.
Last week, the ANC expressed its belief in the possibility of reconciliation with the IFP during a visit to the late Buthelezi’s homestead in KwaPhindangene.
The ANC leaders paid condolences to the Buthelezi family.
Despite strained relations between the ANC and IFP, both parties had previously acknowledged the importance of reconciliation.
During the visit, ANC Deputy President Paul Mashitile emphasized Buthelezi’s desire for the two parties to work together while maintaining their separate identities.
“The most important thing was for the IFP and the ANC to work together, not to emerge as one political party but to work together as different parties – but giving each other space,” Mashatile said.
[WATCH] Deputy President Paul Mashatile at the home of #PrinceMangosuthuButhelezi speaks about the ANC and IFP working together.#KayaNews KS. pic.twitter.com/FVvizORo0e
— Kaya 959 News (@KayaNews) September 13, 2023
However, IFP President Velenkosini Hlabisa suggested, at the time, that the ANC needed to take the initiative in this regard.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu