(File) President Nelson Mandela (L) with Mangosuthu Buthelezi (23 May 1994).

AFRICA

Church in Southern Africa mourns Mangosthu Buthelezi.

The Archbishop of Cape Town, Cardinal-Elect Stephen Brislin, in his capacity as spokesperson of the Southern African Catholic Bishops Conference (SACBC), has offered the Church’s condolences on the death of prominent anti-apartheid South African politician Mangosuthu Buthelezi, who has died aged 95.

Vatican News.

Cardinal-elect Brislin said the Catholic Bishops of Southern Africa were saddened to hear of the veteran politician’s passing at 95 years.

“Chief Buthelezi was the founder of the Inkatha Freedom party and a long-time traditional prime minister to the Zulu Royal Family. Although he was often involved in controversies and many political tensions, he was a devoted father, a committed Christian and a practising member of the Anglican Church. He played an influential role in the politics of South Africa,” he said.

Work for peace, reconciliation and healing

The Cardinal-elect also said it was the Church’s hope that Buthelezi’s death would not be used as an occasion to increase tension in the KwaZulu Natal Province. He appealed to leaders and citizens to work for peace, reconciliation and healing in the province and in the nation.

“We wish to offer our deepest condolences to the Buthelezi family, the Zulu people, to the Inkatha Freedom party and to all those who mourn his loss,” reads part of the message of condolences made available to Vatican News.

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