Prince Mangosuthu Gatsha Buthelezi
National AssemblyParty: Inkatha Freedom Party on the provincial list for the province of KwaZulu-Natal
President of the IFP
CONTACT DETAILS
Parliament Membership History
Entered the first democratic Parliament in April 1994 as President of the Inkatha Freedom Party.
Served as Minister of Home Affairs in President Mandela’s Cabinet under the Government of National Unity (1994 – 1999).
Minister of Home Affairs (1999 – 2004).
Continuous service in the National Parliament from 1994 to date.
Political Leadership Background
Joined the ANC Youth League at the University of Fort Hare: 1949.
Inkosi of the Buthelezi Clan: 1953 to date.
Traditional Prime Minister to the Zulu Monarch and Nation: 1968 to date.
Chief Executive Officer of the Zulu Territorial Authority: 1970 - 1972
Became Chief Executive Councillor of the KwaZulu Legislative Assembly: 1972 - 1976.
Founded Inkatha yeNkululeko yeSizwe, the national cultural liberation organisation (which later became the Inkatha Freedom Party): 1975
Became Chief Minister of KwaZulu: 1976 – 1994
Refused nominal independence for KwaZulu from the apartheid Government, thereby derailing the grand scheme of apartheid to balkanise South Africa.
Persuaded President FW de Klerk to release Nelson Mandela and other political prisoners, and to allow exiles to return, in order to begin negotiations towards democracy.
Entered Government of National Unity: 1994
Served as Minister of Home Affairs: 1994 - 2004
Appointed Acting President of the Republic 22 times.
President of the IFP: 1975 to date
Education
Attended Adams College: 1944 - 1947
University of Fort Hare: 1948 – 1950 (BA degree completed at University of Natal)
University of Zululand, Doctor of Law, honorary degree: 1976
University of Cape Town, Doctor of Law, honorary degree: 1978
Tampa University, Florida, USA, Doctor of Law, honorary degree: 1985
University of Boston, Mass, USA, Doctor of Law, honorary degree: 1986
City University of Los Angeles, Honorary Doctorate, Humane Letters: 1989
Interests
Securing social and economic justice for all South Africans.
Mentoring young leaders.
Conservation.
The preservation of cultural heritage.
Classical and choral music.
History and Law.
Past Committee Memberships
Party presidents are generally not allocated specific Portfolio Committees, as they oversee the work of their full Caucus.
Political Ideas / Achievements Goals & Ambitions for the country
Political ideals: Constitutional democracy, federalism, a free market economy, inclusivity, non-racialism and social cohesion
Major achievements: Preventing the apartheid regime from balkanising South Africa, securing the citizenship of millions of black South Africans.
Lifting the veil of secrecy on HIV/Aids that allowed education and treatment programmes to succeed.
Securing the release of Mandela and political prisoners to begin democratic negotiations.
Secured funding to found the Mangosuthu University of Technology.
Establishing Ithala Bank when commercial banks would not give loans to black South Africans.
Appointed Chancellor of the University of Zululand.
Provided leadership for the building of some 6 000 classrooms during apartheid.
Secured the continued presence of multi-national corporations in South Africa, protecting thousands of jobs.
Led the establishment of the KwaZulu-Natal Joint Executive Authority, the first non-racial, non-discriminatory government in South Africa.
Established South Africa’s first Department of Nature Conservation.
Awarded Knight Commander of the Star of Africa, for outstanding leadership, by President Tolbert of Liberia.
Awarded the French National Order of Merit.
Received the George Meany Human Rights Award from the Council of Industrial Organisation of the American Federation of Labour (AFL-CIO).
Received the Magna Award for outstanding leadership, Hong Kong.
King's Cross Award by H.M. King Zwelithini Goodwill ka Bhekuzulu.
Ambitions for the country: To achieve social justice and economic justice for all South Africans, to enhance social cohesion, to restore integrity to leadership, and to secure education, opportunities and work for all young South Africans.
Political idols: Dr Pixley ka Isaka Seme, the founder of the 1912 South African National Congress; Inkosi Albert Luthuli; the Mahatma Gandhi.
What it means to be an MP: The highest calling is to serve one’s country. It is an honour and a tremendous responsibility. It demands the greatest integrity.