Mangosuthu Buthelezi | |
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President of the Inkatha Freedom Party | |
Assumed office 1976 |
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Inkosi (Chieftain) of the Buthelezi Tribe | |
Assumed office 1953 |
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Preceded by | Chief Mathole Buthelezi |
South African Minister of Home Affairs | |
In office 1994–2004 |
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Preceded by | Danie Schutte |
Succeeded by | Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula |
Chief Minister of KwaZulu | |
In office 1976–1994 |
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Leader of the KwaZulu territorial Authority | |
In office 1970–1976 |
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Personal details | |
Born |
Mahlabathini, Natal, South Africa |
27 August 1928
Political party | Inkatha Freedom Party |
Religion | Anglican |
Website | Official website |
Mangosuthu Buthelezi (born 27 August 1928) is a South African politician and Zulu tribal leader who founded the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) in 1975 and was Chief Minister of the KwaZulu bantustan until 1994. He was Minister of Home Affairs of South Africa from 1994 to 2004. His praise name is Shenge.
Throughout much of the apartheid area, Buthelezi was considered one of the foremost black leaders. He played a key role in creating a framework for a negotiated solution to South Africa's racial conflict, signing the landmark Mahlabatini Declaration of Faith in 1974 with Harry Schwarz. During the CODESA negotiations of the early 1990s, he represented the IFP. Following the introduction of the universal franchise in the 1994 general election, Buthelezi led the IFP to join the government of national unity, led by Nelson Mandela. Buthelezi served as Minister of Home Affairs until 2004. He continues to serve as both leader of the IFP and an MP, retaining his seat in the 2014 general election.
In 1964 he played King Cetshwayo kaMpande (his own maternal great-grandfather) in the film Zulu.
Mangosuthu (born Gatsha) was born on 27 August 1928, in Mahlabathini, KwaZulu, to Chief Mathole Buthelezi and Princess Magogo kaDinuzulu, the sister of King Solomon kaDinuzulu. He was educated at Impumalanga Primary School, Mahashini, Nongoma from 1933 to 1943, then at Adams College, Amanzimtoti from 1944 to 1947.