Former KZN premier and IFP stalwart, Lionel Mtshali, 80, who died last Sunday, was laid to rest on Saturday.
His funeral was held at the Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium in Clermont, where he lived, with his passing described as “the fall of a political giant”.
President Jacob Zuma declared a provincial official funeral for Mtshali, who died at Westville Hospital after a short illness. Mtshali was the premier of KZN from 1999 to 2004.
His funeral started with a procession led by the SAPS brass band. The 6 500 seater stadium was packed with mourners, most of whom wore IFP T-shirts.
IFP leader iNkosi Mangosuthu Buthelezi praised Mtshali for his contribution in the fight against HIV/Aids while he was premier of KZN.
“In the absence of a man with Mtshali’s integrity, courage and faith, thousands of South Africans would have found their lives cut short at a very young age. I feel it appropriate, as we bid our final farewells, to honour Mtshali.”
Buthelezi said Mtshali had made many contributions to the people of the province, but undoubtedly his greatest gift had been saving lives.
Buthelezi also touched on the issue of succession in the IFP, saying he wanted to step down as president in 2012 but party members had begged him to continue.
Political parties queued to pay their last respects. The ANC’s Sibongiseni Dhlomo said Mtshali was an astute and convincing leader.
“Even though you might have disagreed with him, you couldn’t challenge his line of arguing because he was organised. When he opened his mouth one wished that he could go on for ever,” he said.
Former DA provincial leader Sizwe Mchunu said Mtshali was one of the members of the provincial legislature he’d longed to work with.
Erickson Zungu of the NFP said a “pillar” of politics had fallen and the nation had lost a credible leader.
Mtshali held a string of positions in the government, including that of arts and culture minister. He was serving as a member of the provincial legislature, an IFP council member and a member of the party’s political oversight committee at the time of his death.
The former premier is survived by his wife, Daphne, two daughters, a son, eight grandchildren and one great-grandson.
Delivering his tribute on behalf of the provincial government, Premier Senzo Mchunu said although he knew that Mtshali was frail he did not think the end would come so soon.
“No one knew that we would be here today although we knew that Mtshali was not well. His death shocked us,” he said.
Mchunu said Mtshali was given an official state funeral because of his contribution to democracy.
Mtshali was instrumental in brokering peace in the province between the IFP and the ANC during a spate of what were believed to be politically-linked killings that left scores of people dead a few years before democracy.
His age did not deter him from furthering his studies. Mtshali graduated with a Diploma in Management at Wits University early this year, to add to an already impressive list of qualifications.
Among those present were former premier of KZN Zweli Mkhize, now treasurer of the ANC, and Bheki Cele, the Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.
Sunday Tribune
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