KWAZULU NATAL PROVINCIAL HOUSE OF TRADITIONAL LEADERS STATEMENT BY PRINCE MANGOSUTHU BUTHELEZI MP CHAIRPERSON: KWAZULU NATAL HOUSE OF TRADITIONAL LEADERS CHAIRPERSON: ZULULAND DISTRICT HOUSE OF TRADITONAL LEADERS INKOSI OF THE BUTHELEZI CLAN AND UNDUNANKULU KAZULU, MAY 21 2009
I have dedicated my entire life, really since my early years, to doing everything in my power to promote the cause of the Zulu Kingdom and foster the unity and prosperity of the Zulu Nation within the greater unity of South Africa. I remain committed to these historical goals, the final achievement of which will only materialise long after the time of my passing. I would never do anything to jeopardise the final realisation of these goals.
We are at a strange juncture of transformation which has created confusion between long-term goals and short-term personal and political gains and benefits. I know that this juncture will be temporary and that traditional leaders of the Kingdom of KwaZulu will again focus on the long-term aspects of their historical mission for the benefit of our nation and all our people.
However, no matter how temporary, confusing and ill-motivated this juncture, it is most pernicious to the achievement of the long-term goals to which I and many others in this House have consecrated our lives.
It is clear to me that at this present juncture the collegial body of traditional leaders of the Zulu Kingdom is not ready to speak with an unanimous voice and express a candidate for the chairmanship of the provincial House of Traditional Leaders which can unify all of us.
Historically, whenever our traditional leadership has been united, our kingdom has prospered. Whenever it has been divided, our kingdom has suffered. Historically, the constant and sole tactic utilised by our opponents to undermine our Kingdom and our Nation has been that of dividing our traditional leadership.
For this reason, I am not prepared to be used as a tool to divide our traditional leadership. Nor am I prepared to preside over a divided House or a divided institution of traditional leadership. For this reason, I have chosen not to make myself available for election as the Chairperson of the provincial House of Traditional Leaders of KwaZulu Natal, a position which I have held since 1994, considering the position I held in the antecedent of this House.
If this House is capable of producing a candidate, any candidate, who can receive the unanimous support of this House, such person ought to be elected in my place, because the unity of our traditional leadership is far more important than me. In the name of such unity, I pledge to cooperate with whoever will be so elected for as long as he or she receives such unanimous support, to which end I pre-announce that I will be abstaining during the voting process.
Issued by the Inkatha Freedom Party May 21 2009
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