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Catholic Bishops Eulogize South African Politician, Zulu Prince as a “committed Christian”

Logo of the Southern Africa Catholic Bishops Conference (SACBC). Credit: SACBC

By Jude Atemanke

Johannesburg, 11 September, 2023 / 8:15 pm (ACI Africa).

Members of the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SACBC) have eulogized the late South African politician and Zulu Prince, Mangosuthu Gatsha Buthelezi as a “committed Christian.”

The founder of the Inkatha Freedom Party who served in the post-apartheid government as Minister of Home Affairs died on September 8 at the age of 95, Reuters reported.

In a message shared with ACI Africa Monday, September 11, the spokesperson of SACBC says that members of the three-nation Conference were “saddened to hear of the passing of Mangosuthu Gatsha Buthelezi.”

“Prince Buthelezi was the founder of the Inkatha Freedom party and a long-time traditional prime minister to the Zulu Royal Family,” Archbishop Stephen Brislin says on behalf of the Catholic Bishops in Botswana, Eswatini, and South Africa.

Archbishop Brislin adds, “Although he was often involved in controversies and many political tensions, he was a devoted father, a committed Christian, and a practicing member of the Anglican Church.”

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“He played an influential role in the politics of South Africa,” the Archbishop of Cape Town in South Africa who was among the three Africans named Cardinals on July 9 says.

He continues, “We hope and pray that this time of his death will not be used to increase tension in Kwazulu Natal.”

“We appeal to leaders and all citizens to work for peace, healing and reconciliation in the province and the country,” the SACBC spokesperson further says, adding, “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,” 

Archbishop Brislin implores, “May he and all the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace.”

Jude Atemanke

Jude Atemanke is a Cameroonian journalist with a passion for Catholic Church communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of Buea in Cameroon. Currently, Jude serves as a journalist for ACI Africa.

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