Johannesburg - President Jacob Zuma on Saturday paid tribute to the former chairman of the National House of Traditional Leaders Nkosi Impiyezintombi Mzimela, who died on Christmas day.
“On behalf of government and all the people of South Africa, we would like to convey our deepest words of condolence to the family, ubuKhosi bonke bakwaMzimela and the entire traditional leadership in our country for the loss of this leader.
“May his soul rest in peace,” Zuma said in a statement.
Mzimela died after having been hospitalised for the last few weeks.
On Friday, the Inkatha Freedom Party said Mzimela had fought to defend the role of traditional leaders within the government structures.
IFP chairman Blessed Gwala also said that Mzimela had served as a member of the KZN provincial legislature as well as a school principal.
KwaZulu-Natal co-operative governance and traditional affairs MEC Nomusa Dube-Ncube on Friday said that Mzimela was a man of integrity who helped develop institutions of traditional leadership in post-apartheid South Africa. - Sapa