The Changing Face of Zulu Nationalism: The Transformation of Mangosuthu Buthelezi’s Politics and Public Image

ABSTRACT

This article discusses attempts by Mangosuthu Buthelezi, the leader of Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) for than four decades, to change his political image from that of a Zulu nationalist to that of a elder statesman of South African politics, who advocates inclusive politics. Although Buthelezi's attempts at political transformation have been underway for more than two decades now, the article focuses on his two recent attempts: the Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi Museum and Document Centre, and his 90th birthday celebrations. While these attempts are interesting in their own right, it is what they reveal about the politics of Zulu nationalism that is important. The paper argues that significant transformations are under way in the politics of Zulu nationalism, to which scholars should pay attention. These changes underscore the malleability and dynamism of the ideology of nationalism.

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Notes

1 All the quotations in this section are taken from the text at the museum.

2 ibid.

3 For a critical analysis of Buthelezi’s politics and the rise of his political party, Inkatha, see, for instance, Mare and Hamilton 1987. See also Mzala 1988. For a more sympathetic account of Buthelezi’s politics, see Temkin 2003; and Smith 1988.

4 Extract taken from the museum.

5 ibid

6 ibid

7 In numerous interviews in the 1990s with Padraig O’Malley, Buthelezi addressed his fall out with the monarch, going so far as to state that the monarch did not enjoy the political support that he, Buthelezi, enjoyed and claiming that the ANC was stoking the rift between them. See, for instance, O’Malley’s interview of Buthelezi at Ulundi on 4 November 1994: https://omalley.nelsonmandela.org/omalley/index.php/site/q/03lv00017/04lv00344/05lv00832/06lv00856.htm

8 Extract taken from the museum. It is unclear whether Dube knew Buthelezi, which would have explained the visit to receive his blessing. What is known is that Dube knew Prince Mshiyeni, who served as the regent to the Zulu royal throne at the time. Also known is that Dube was ill at the time of the visit, a point that is made by his biographer, Heather Hughes, and Buthelezi’s biographer, Ben Temkin. See Hughes 2011, page 255. See also Temkin’s characterisation of Dube in which he describes him at the time of the visit as having been an old man, who was wheelchair bound (page 21 of his biography of Buthelezi).

9 Temkin characterizes the relationship between Luthuli and Buthelezi in much stronger terms than is described in the museum. He suggests that Luthuli was ‘perhaps, Buthelezi’s most important mentor’, who encouraged him to join the ANC Youth League, taught him how he should lead his tribe as a traditional leader, and ‘pointed out to Buthelezi how important it was to work with people of all colours and persuasions’. It was to Luthuli, Temkin adds, that Buthelezi turned for counsel from time to time (see page 41 of Temkin’s biography of Buthelezi).

10 Source: the museum.

11 ibid

12 Tambo discussed the ANC’s involvement in the formation of Inkatha when addressing the Second ANC National Consultative Conference that took place in Lusaka from 16 to 23 June 1985. He conceded that the ANC did discuss with Buthelezi the issue of the ‘formation of a mass democratic organisation in the Bantustan that he headed. Inkatha originated from this agreement’. Tambo [compiled by Adelaide Tambo]. 2014.

13 The Nkabinde who is mentioned was the principal of the University of Zululand at the time, who was known to be a supporter of Inkatha.

14 Source: the museum.

15 ibid

16 ibid

17 A quote from Buthelezi reproduced in the museum.

18 Source: the museum.

19 ibid

20 ibid

21 ibid