KwaZulu-Natal Premier Senzo Mchunu has paid tribute to traditional leaders from Umbumbulu for promoting peace and stability in the area. He was speaking today in Umbumbulu, South of Durban during Umbumbulu Peace and Reconciliation Initiative attended by more than 5 000 people from surrounding areas. The initiative involves more than 10 traditional leaders and their communities who were once involved in political violence.
“When KZN sneezes the rest of the country catches a cold”
“These are the words of His Majesty, Isilo SamaBandla who has been a pillar of strength and a champion of peace and reconciliation over the years. What Uhlanga Lomhlabathi meant with these words is that if there is peace in KwaZulu-Natal, it is felt all over the country. If there is violence in this province, it also affected the whole country.”
“You’d recall that this province was once ravaged by political violence with areas such as Umbumbulu being the hardest hit. Political violence according to some sources claimed 20,000 lives between 1984 and 1987 alone.”
“Despite ushering a free and democratic country in April 1994, violence continued. About 1600 are estimated to have been killed in political violence in this province in 1994 alone and 837 were killed in 1995.”
More than 500,000 people were displaced from their homes and these includes people from Umbumbulu, KwaMakhutha, Malukazi, eZimbokodweni, Adams Mission, Folweni and surrounding areas.
These statistics shows that political violence weighed heavily in KwaZulu-Natal than any other parts of South Africa. The conflict between IFP and ANC threatened to plunge the country into full-scale civil war and to devour the post-apartheid peace process.
Other than Umbumbulu, there are notable flashpoints once ravaged by political violence such as Shobashobane on the South Coast, Richmond in the Midlands, Zakheni in Ladysmith and Nongoma in the north of the province.
Through the foresight of our leaders - first amongst was Nelson Mandela, a time came when the spiral of violence and self-destruction had to be stopped. Nelson Mandela made the following remarks during youth day celebration on the 16th June 1995 at Zakheni Township, Ladysmith.
“I call on ANC and IFP members in KwaZulu-Natal to rise and fight for peace. We have it in our power to stop this tragedy.The killing of Zulu by Zulu must stop; the killing of South African by South African must stop. Violence must end.
The task of improving people's lives is even more challenging in the rural areas. Here, apartheid left communities in conditions that defy description. That is why the RDP puts such emphasis on rural communities. And, above all, we want to ensure that the rural communities themselves determine their needs and priorities.
Traditional leaders have an important role to play in this effort. And we appreciate very much the statements of King Goodwill Zwelithini about the need for peace, rural development and investments.
We call on all traditional leaders in KwaZulu-Natal to join with us in these efforts. We appeal to them to take active part in the rural development projects being introduced.
The government is determined to improve the conditions of traditional leaders. Though this may take some years to achieve, we want to make sure that they lead a lifestyle which respectable leaders of their stature deserve. We want to ensure that they can play their role as community leaders without political interference.”
“I want to pay tribute to His Majesty for being the champion of peace in this province for many years. He has personally supported this Peace and Reconciliation initiative since 2007.”
“We salute uHlanga LoMhlabathi for being an advocate for socio-economic development and decent education for our children and the provision of infrastructure - roads, water and electricity to rural areas. Isilo’s message that communities that were previously ravaged by political violence must be prioritised is loud and clear. To this effect, we have identified the community of Umbumbulu as a top priority.”
“As His Majesty has always stated, no investor will ever consider investing in a province that is has no peace and stability. Clearly, Amakhosi are demonstrated that they have heard this message from His Majesty hence they are now at the forefront of the promotion of peace.”
“I want to pay tribute to the former Premier Dr Zweli Mkhize who has also been personally involved in spearheading this initiative.”
“I want to recognise the efforts of Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi for his role in bringing about peace and reconciliation here in Umbumbulu.”
“I also want to express my deepest appreciation to the President of the country His Excellency Mr J.G Zuma for his tireless efforts that brought us to where we are today.”
“Importantly, both President Zuma and Prince Buthelezi worked hard to ensure that formation of the KZN’s IFP-ANC coalition government shortly after 1994 general elections. The KZN IFP-ANC coalition government represented the first step towards healing the wounds that had been inflected over many years.”
“Today, we say without really forgetting our past but we are determined to forge ahead to our common future. We are focusing on job creation to ensure that we deal with a triple challenge of poverty, unemployment and inequality.”
“I want to salute Amakhosi who are here today for their commitment towards peace and reconciliation. It is through their efforts that this province is closest to lasting peace than it has ever been in the last 30 years.”
“Amakhosi are saying to all of us today, the time for political violence is over and never again should the brothers and sisters of Umbumbulu go to war against each other!
“Amakhosi are calling on each one of us to take up our personal responsibility to consolidate the pace of building the foundation of a strong and vibrant nation where all of us can be proud to live together as citizens.”
“Importantly, Amakhosi are saying let us not dwell on the past, but let us recognise it and tell its story in order to move into the future, to build a prosperous KwaZulu-Natal. If we do not promote peace and reconciliation what will be our legacy decades from now?
“As we endeavour to achieve true peace and prosperity, we must learn to reconcile our differences for the betterment of our nation. I believe that a process to retrenching reconciliation in our society has been started by Amakhosi.”
“We must work together to heal the wounds created during our long struggle for freedom and equality. We must work together to build a nation worthy of the sacrifice of our many martyrs and innocent victims.”
“Following in the footsteps of the people of Umbumbulu, we need to participate in this process of national healing and reconciliation. We have to recognise that we have wounded ourselves through political intolerance and that we cannot afford to go this path again.”
Next year general elections
“We are responsible for living peacefully and projecting a better image of our province among the family of nations. I wish to thank Amakhosi for initiating this process at this time. The timing could not be any better. Over the next few months, leaders of political parties and their members will be going to the potential voters asking them to vote for their political parties.”
“It is no exaggeration to say there can be no free campaigning and free and fair elections if the scars inflicted by political violence of yester-years are not completely healed. Let us show that we can govern ourselves and solve our differences amicably without resorting to political violence. I must emphasise that having peaceful, free and fair elections will not only be a huge boost for our democracy but will present a good image of South Africa and the continent as a whole.”
“I am saying this because next year’s General Elections will coincide with the 20th Anniversary of our democracy and the whole world will focus on KwaZulu-Natal. The main reason why KZN will be under the spotlight is because Nelson Mandela voted for the first time in the first ever democratic elections here in this province. This historic occasion was televised all over the world to billions of people.
Because KZN is set to be in the spotlight again next year, we cannot afford the eruption of political violence in the build-up to the elections. The campaigning period characterised by violence and intimidation will set a bad example and will be a source of embarrassment which will last for many years.”
“Any loss of life would not only make the international community sceptical about our democracy but would be in sharp contrast to the teachings of Nelson Mandela. I therefore call upon all leaders of political parties to acknowledge that it is upon all of us to ensure peace and stability leading up to the elections and during elections.”
“We must work together for the normalisation of political discourse at all levels of leadership. Leaders must learn to accept elections not as a deadly contest but a health competition of ideas that offers our people the best form of solutions to their problems.”
Amakhosi in the area are the following:
- Inkosi L.D Mkhize – Embothimuni (our host)
- Inkosi K.T Mkhize – Esimahleni
- Inkosi K. Makhanya – Sobonakhona
- Inkosi N Maphumulo - Maphumulo
- Inkosi N Hlengwa – Thoyana
- Inkosi V Cele – Vumengazi
- Inkosi Moyeni – Nhlazuka
- Inkosi Luthuli – Umnini
- Inkosi Shozi – Emangangeni
- Inkosi T Mkhize – Mophel
Enquiries:
Ndabezinhle Sibiya
Cell: 082 375 4742
