Chairperson, I move:
That the House -
(1) notes -
(a) with regret and profound sadness that His Royal Highness, the Hon Prince Nhlahla Elijah Zulu, MP, passed away on Friday, 15 June 2007;
(b) that the late Prince Zulu served on the Portfolio Committee on Labour and as an alternate on several others;
(c) that he was a true gentleman of shining integrity, kind and courteous to all he met, and, hailing from an illustrious scion of the Zulu royal family, held a deep respect for his nation's traditions and values which found expression in his public service; and
(d) that he will be sorely missed by his party and many friends; and
(2) expresses its sincere condolences to his two wives, Princess Jabulisile and Princess Eugenia, his children, his family and all those who loved him.
Madam Deputy Speaker, it is a privilege to pay tribute to my dear first cousin and friend, His Royal Highness Prince Nhlahla Zulu. To me he was a constant source of encouragement and wise counsel, a fund of shrewd and honest advice. His loss will be felt by his loved ones, his party, this House and beyond. The prince possessed an easygoing charm and warmth. He was always courteous and courtly to all he met and was proof that being a gentleman was not somehow associated with being old-fashioned. He was in fact very much a man of our time who relished progress and the beauty of tradition in equal measure. The prince led an extraordinary life which spanned the best part of the last century and nearly the first decade of this one.
Our grandfather King Dinizulu had no less than 60 queens, and hence several homesteads. I must explain, Deputy Speaker, that there was a chuckle. In fact, it was not because of lust. In Zulu culture there is a "baleka" custom, and all the lawyers in the House will know that if a girl fancied you, she would pay you a betrothal visit without you even saying a word to her. This is how some of these wives were collected.
The king had several daughters and sons. His first daughter, Princess Phikisile Harriet married Dr Pixley ka Isaka Seme, the founder of the African National Congress. Doctor Seme discussed with King Dinizulu the idea of the king becoming one of the patrons of the ANC along with other African kings. He died before this proposal was finalised.
King Dinizulu had several royal homesteads. One of them was the homestead of Ezinhlendleni. One of his wives, Oka Hlokolo Ndwandwe, bore him only sons. One of his sons was Prince Nojombo. He was Prince Nhlahla's father. My uncle Prince Nojombo died when Prince Nhlahla was very young. Prince Nhlahla's mother, Princess Triphina Oka Manqele, struggled to give my cousin some education. After he had passed his junior certificate, he continued to study to improve himself. He qualified as a laboratory technician and went to work for the SA Paper and Pulp Industry or Sappi in Mandini in 1967.
It was during this time that I first met my cousin. It did not take me long to see that he was a patriot whose heart burned like mine concerning the sacrifices that our forebears, such as King Mpande, King Cetshwayo and King Dinizulu, suffered. He, Prince Gideon ka Mnyayiza and I soon became a trio because of our convictions. We all felt that apartheid had to be defeated by all possible means. It was not surprising then, when I visited Zambia to thank President Kenneth Kaunda for giving sanctuary to our exiles and later President Julius Nyerere, that I was inspired to found Inkatha ye Nkululeko ye Sizwe, Tokologo ya Set?haba [the National Cultural Liberation Movement].
Bishop Alphaeus Zulu reinforced what President Kaunda said to me when I visited the United National Independence Party headquarters in Lusaka during my visit. Doctor Kaunda had impressed upon me the need to start a membership-based organisation so that in our internal resistance against grand apartheid we could present ourselves as a cohesive force. The only person who had to be consulted was the leader of the ANC in exile, Mr Oliver Tambo. After he had approved, I then formed Inkatha. Prince Nhlahla and Prince Gideon were the first in the royal house to join me in 1975.
Prince Nhlahla became a highly respected member of our Central Committee before it became the National Council, which he was a member of until his passing. He was a respected voice in the councils of my party and we had no hesitation in asking him to join those of us who came to Parliament as representatives of our party in 1994.
He was a remarkable person of great depth whose every word was spoken only after a lot of thought and with clarity. He was a man of great wisdom whose opinions we all valued in the party. He was not garrulous, yet when he expressed his opinion on any issue, all listened. He was a model of modesty. He would never flaunt his royal lineage. He was a gentleman who was loved and respected across party lines.
Yesterday, when I spoke to His Majesty King Goodwill Zwelithini ka Bhekuzulu, the nephew of Prince Nhlahla, he lamented the fact that the prince's wisdom would no longer be available to him and the rest of us as a family. In the royal family, he was a rare breed. He was a humble scion of Zulu kings whose life mission was to serve his people, the Zulu nation and the people of South Africa.
We thank God for having lent us the gift of this royal prince. He believed strongly that his mission would not be accomplished as long as his people were trapped in poverty, living with high unemployment, when corruption still persisted and so many suffered from HIV and Aids in our province of KwaZulu-Natal, which has the highest prevalence rate in the country. We feel that he has made his own unique contribution and he has completed his mission in serving our people in the highest council of state, Parliament. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his beloved wives, Princess Jabulisile and Princess Eugenia, his family, the royal house, members of his party and his colleagues across all parties in Parliament.
Madam Deputy Speaker, we, from the DA, certainly support the motion. I want to say that I had the privilege of knowing Prince Zulu for a number of years. He was, as the hon Buthelezi has pointed out, a remarkably polite and decent man. I want to use the word dignified as far as he is concerned, because I think he was really a remarkably dignified person. He was held in very high esteem by all those he came into contact with. Therefore, it was with great sadness and regret that the DA learnt that he had passed away at the age of 67, in the early hours of Friday, 15 June.
Prince Zulu has certainly been an important and respected Member of Parliament, since he joined this institution in the mid 1990s. During his time as an MP, we know that he served on a number of portfolio committees including labour, education, and home affairs. I would like the House to know that our members who served with him on those committees have acknowledged him to have been a worthy adversary, but also a good friend, an accomplished debater and a hard-working person generally. But it was the dignity with which he upheld both himself and that auspicious position as a Member of Parliament that always was particularly noteworthy about him.
Again, as we have heard from the hon Buthelezi, Prince Zulu was a long-time member of the IFP and the precursor to the IFP, the Inkatha Cultural Liberation Movement, when it was launched in 1975. He was indeed a stalwart of the struggle and of the IFP, and we offer our sincere condolences to his party.
One of the many things that was impressive about Prince Zulu was that he was someone who always strived to better himself. Throughout his long career at Sappi, and during his time here in Parliament, he continued studying and he received numerous qualifications in a wide range of subjects. And as we have heard from those who knew him, he truly believed that knowledge was power and he read anything he could get his hands on, be it newspapers, magazines, journals, articles or books. He was also a devout Christian. He was an active member of the Anglican Church.
On behalf of the DA, I would like to extend our sincere condolences to the family and friends of Prince Zulu at this time of their loss. Our thoughts are very much with you all at this difficult time. Parliament has lost an exemplary member who was a true asset to the institution. We are confident that he will be greatly missed not only by the Members of this Parliament but by all parliamentary staff who had the pleasure of working with him as well.
The ACDP wishes to extend our deepest heartfelt condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of the late Member of Parliament, Prince Zulu. The commendable 67 year old IFP Member of Parliament passed away on the morning of 15 June 2007. Prince Zulu will be remembered by many of his colleagues, distant colleagues and friends, as a constant source of encouragement and wise counsel. We ask that our fellow colleagues bestow prayers on and give encouragement to the family of the late hon Prince Zulu in this time of their bereavement.
Mevrou die Adjunkspeaker, namens die VF Plus wil ons graag ons innige meegevoel betuig met die familie en die vriende en die gesin van die oorledene. Dit is so dat enige sterfte traumaties is vir die familielede. Dit is ook traumaties vir die Inkatha Vryheidsparty. Tot hulle leedwese moes hulle verneem dat een van hulle partygenote te sterwe gekom het. Ons het hom leer ken as 'n persoon wat enige tyd graag sy standpunt gestel het en nie gehuiwer het om te s waarin hy glo nie. Daar was altyd 'n goeie verhouding tussen die oorledene en die lede van die VF Plus. As Christene kan ons ook net vir hulle s: Hulle sal hul troos net van Bo af ontvang. (Translation of Afrikaans speech follows.) [Mr P J GROENEWALD: Madam Deputy Speaker, on behalf of the FF Plus, we would like to extend our sincere condolences to the family, friends and relatives of the deceased. Any death is traumatic for the family members concerned. This is also traumatic for the Inkatha Freedom Party. To their regret they have learnt of the passing of one of their party members. We had come to know him as a person who was keen to state his point of view at any given time and never hesitated to articulate what he believed in. There was always a good relationship between the deceased and the members of the FF Plus. As Christians, all we can tell them is that they will only find consolation from Above.]
Madam Deputy Speaker, the UDM is saddened by the news that the hon Prince Zulu has passed away. It is always a shock to learn that one of us has suddenly been snatched away. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the family, to the friends, to the IFP and to the colleagues of His Royal Highness, Prince Nhlahla Elijah Zulu. His commitment to his party, his traditional culture and his country was there for all to see. Our thoughts and prayers are with his loved ones and we hope that they will draw consolation from the praise that has been expressed today in this House. Thank you.
Modulasetulo, re le UCDP re utlwile botlhoko thata ka loso la ga Prince Zulu wa IFP. Re lela le bona mme jaaka Bakeresete ra re, re itse gore ba ba swang ba swela Morena le ba ba tshelang ba tshelela Morena. (Translation of Setswana paragraph follows.)
[Mr P H K DITSHETELO: Chairperson, we as the UCDP are greatly saddened by the death of Prince Zulu of the IFP. We would like to convey our condolences. But as Christians we believe that those who die do so unto to the Lord and those who live also do so unto to the Lord.]
When the Inkatha National Cultural Liberation Movement, the precursor to the IFP, was launched in 1975, the prince was an activist holding various leadership positions at a high level. He was elected to the central committee of Inkatha at the beginning of 1980, after which he became a leader of the National Council of the IFP.
He was an avid reader, truly believing that education is power; a man with a deep insight; a man who had loved soccer during his youth.
Re lela le lona. Lalang ka ntho madi a tshologa le pelo di gamuketse botlhoko di tla fola. Pinagare e lo ntseng lo e tshepile e ole. Setlhare se lo ntseng lo kwaya mo go sone, moriti wa sone o ile le o lebile.
Go swa motho go tsalwe motho. Mo tlogeleng motho wa batho a lale ka kagiso. Ga gagwe o go dirile. (Translation of Setswana paragraphs follows.)
[We would like to express our deepest condolences to you and we hope you can find a healing power in grieving. We acknowledge that you have lost a person who was the core of your existence.
When one person dies, another one is born. Leave him to rest in peace. He made his contribution.]
Madam Deputy Speaker, with deep sorrow and great regret, the MF expresses us deepest condolences on the loss of the late N E Zulu. There are indeed many sorrows in life and one of the greatest sorrows that no one would like to experience is that of death. We get so engrossed in living that we fail to realise that it is not forever. However, we need to realise that the lives we live have an impact on those around us, our society and our country. It is our beliefs, values and endeavours that are immortal.
Our deepest condolences are extended to the family and friends of the late Prince Zulu. May the Lord be your strength in this time of mourning, and may your pain be eased through our love and support.
We further extend this message of condolence to the IFP on the loss of your inspiring member, friend and comrade. To the late Prince Zulu, South Africa salutes you. May you find bliss in the gardens of paradise where you may comfortably watch over our mother, South Africa, blossoming into greatness. I thank you.
Madam Deputy Speaker, it was with a sense of shock and disbelief that I received the news of the passing away of Prince Zulu in the early hours of Friday. On behalf of the PAC, we wish to convey our heartfelt condolences to the family and the IFP on the loss of such a long- standing member and leader of the party.
Indeed, like everybody else has said before me, Prince Zulu was a true gentleman, a man of integrity and a very courteous person. He will most definitely be missed. I was fortunate to have served with the late Prince Zulu in the Portfolio Committee on Labour, and he indeed struck one as a true gentleman who was very diligent in his work, who was open-minded, and who had a progressive outlook on issues that we were debating. May his soul rest in peace. Thank you.
Phini likaSomlomo, thina kuKhongolose sidabuke kakhulu ngokuzwa ngokukhothama kukaMntwana uNhlahla ozalwa uMntwana uNojombo kaDinizulu kaCetshwayo kaMpande kaNdaba.
Umntwana uNhlahla ubenokuzithoba, ejulile ngolwazi. Ubeneqiniso, engumuntu wabantu. Akwenzayo ubekwenzisisa. Izinkulumo zakhe bezakha, zikhombisa ukuthi ubeyilalela yonke imibono ngaphambi kokuba aphimise ngakushoyo. Ngithi kumakhosikazi akhe, omunye udadewethu, umtakaKhondlo kanye nokaMajozi, silahlekelwe sonke; izinyembezi zenu, ziyizinyembezi zesizwe sonke.
Eqenjini lakhe, i-IFP, nakuMntwana waKwaPhindangene esimhloniphayo sithi: Lalani ngenxeba. Kubuhlungu kodwa umdali izinhlelo zakhe uyazazi. Endlunkulu nakubaNtwana bonke sithi: nina bakaMalandela, nina bakaJama, nina bakaMjokwane kaNdaba, uMntwana uyibekile induku ebandla. Izwe liyaziqhenya ngani.
UKhongolose nesizwe sonke silahlekelwe kakhulu. Yebo, ziyohamba izinsizwa zisale izibongo. Usikhonzele kobabamkhulu. Ndlelanhle, siyohlala sikukhumbula! Akwehlanga lungehliyo. Siyasemukela lesi siphakamiso sikababa uVan der Merwe. Ngiyabonga (Translation of isiZulu paragraphs follows.)
[Mr D M GUMEDE: Deputy Speaker, we in the African National Congress are sad to learn of the passing away of Prince Nhlahla, the son of Prince Nojombo, begotten by Dinizulu, begotten by Cetshwayo, the son of Mpande, who was begotten by Ndaba.
Prince Zulu was very humble yet knowledgeable. He was truthful and he was loved by people. He was very meticulous with almost everything. His speeches were constructive, and they showed that he would listen to all opinions first before he made a pronouncement. To his wives - the other one is my cousin - the daughter of Khondlo and the daughter of Majozi, I say your loss is our loss; you are not alone, the whole nation is weeping.
To his political party, the IFP, and to the Prince of KwaPhindangene, whom we respect, we say may he find comfort to accept this. It is painful but God knows his plans. To the royal family we say, you, the generation of Malandela, begotten by Jama, who was begotten by Mjokwane, the son of Ndaba, the Prince made his mark. We are proud of you.
The African National Congress and the whole nation has suffered a loss. It is indeed true that people die but their good work lives on. To the late Prince we say, convey our greetings to our forefathers. Go well, we will always remember you! What has happened is fate. We agree to this motion of the hon Van der Merwe. Thank you.]
Debate concluded.
I take it that there are no objections to the adoption of the motion by the House. I am going to ask the service officers to just suspend their movements in the House as I will ask all the members to rise to observe a moment of silence in memory of the late hon Prince Zulu.
Motion agreed to, members standing.
Please be seated. The condolences of the House will be conveyed to the family of Prince Zulu.