Distinguished Guests – Ladies and Gentlemen Good Afternoon

It is with a deep sense of humility that I rise to welcome you to this special farewell.

We wish to thank the President of the Republic of South Africa His Excellency Cyril Ramaphosa for declaring this a Special Official Funeral Category 1.

It is true that leaders of rare qualities are hard to come by.

This declaration therefore symbolizes the greatest honour the ANC government could bestow over a leader of our people on his last days on earth.

As we welcome you, we wish to state as KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government that we have never experienced a loss of the Zulu Traditional Prime Minister.

The ANC and IFP has been put to the mast difficult test over the last few days only history will judge us and advocate about our results

However, we wish to pay tribute to ISILO Misuzulu KaZwelithini – Indlulamithi for the guidance.

When future generations look back to the 16th September 2023, they will undoubtedly say something profound.

They will state that leaders of the governing party – the ANC at all levels, the Buthelezi Family, Traditional Leaders, Leaders of Faith-based organizations and the people of KwaZulu-Natal were instrumental in making this a befitting national farewell.

Fellow Mourners, when future generations look back, they will be inspired by the display of unity as we manage this delicate transition.

We underline our statement by stating that as this generation of leaders, this is a critical time in our history, the traction towards a new era has began

We will be judged on how we managed to sink our personal ambitions for the greater aspirations of the people of KwaZulu-Natal.

We will be not be judged on how we differed during the week of mourning but we will be judged on how we managed to work together harmoniously for the good of the people of this province.

Importantly, this past week, the democratic government demonstrated that it is indeed a government of the people. We demonstrated that we serve in the government that represents the aspirations of diverse people of this province.

Compatriots, let be said loud and clear that having this democratic government is a privilege we should never take for granted because many people paid with their lives for it.

KZN was once a different province. Ravaged by violence and smitten with hostility and bitterness especially between ANC and IFP.

It was not uncommon for political differences in Ulundi Legislative Assembly and in the Legislature in Pietermaritzburg to spill over into tension in the community instead of the house resolving them.

We must pay tribute to senior leaders of both parties who led bilateral meetings and calmed down a lot of conflict and brought sanity.

Through various peace initiatives and bilateral meetings between ANC and IFP the atmosphere of political intolerance was transformed to create a new spirit of open but peaceful competition and cooperation. We later realised through dialectical materialism

that our differences are propelled by the system. The same system that beheaded Inkosi Bhambatha KaManciza’s head. The same system that imprisoned King Dinuzulu. The same system that killed Victoria and Griffiths Mxenge as well as Steve Biko.

Compatriots, on this day we call upon all the people of our beautiful province to work together to ensure that there is no re-emergence of political violence in any part of this province.

This will be the greatest gift we could give to Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi.

Nowhere has the impact of post-apartheid peace been needed and appreciated than in KwaZulu-Natal.

On this important day, we affirm our commitment as the governing party to ensure that the spirit of peace and reconciliation blows like a fresh cool breeze.

We commit to ensure that political fueled violence is replaced by robust political debates on strategies designed to lift our people out of abject poverty.

Our province must enjoy reasonable freedom of association and political tolerance which was unimaginable before 1994.

As leaders deployed by the ANC to lead the government of the day, we commit to ensure that the image of KwaZulu-Natal is improved each day of the week.

We offer to double our efforts to ensure that the Zulu Kingdom becomes an attractive destination for investors and leisure-seekers.

We want the warmth and friendly smile of our people to continue to be a brand very few can compete with.

Finally, we would like to thank the Buthelezi Family for sharing their father with the people of this province.

Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter.

Ecclesiastics 12:13

“Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of the man.

I thank you.