Wonder Hlongwa
African National Congress national chairman Jacob Zuma has been involved in intense lobbying to get Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini and Inkatha Freedom Party president Mangosuthu Buthelezi to patch up their family quarrel and appear on the same platform at the symbolically important Shaka Day celebrations.
Zuma said he had been acting as a Cabinet messenger in an attempt to bring peace and reconciliation to the province. Ironically, only a few years ago the ANC had desperately tried to woo the king from Buthelezis side, where he had been for more than a decade.
The Mail & Guardian has learnt that one of the items on Zumas agenda is to reinstate Buthelezi as a traditional prime minister, a position from which he was ousted when Zwelithini moved towards the ANC in 1994.
When Zuma was asked what the ANC stood to gain if the reconciliation took place, he refused to answer. That is not a question that needs to be asked. The Cabinet is interested in getting peace in the region, he said.
Last Thursday and Sunday Zuma and KwaZulu- Natal MEC the Reverend Celani Mtetwa met the king. On Monday Premier Ben Ngubane also visited him to persuade him to attend Shaka Day celebrations at Stanger and share a stage with Buthelezi.
The king suspended Shaka Day celebrations in 1994 when his relationship with Buthelezi soured, following an attack at Enyokeni.
He wants the IFP to apologise for attacking his palace and for an attack at KwaMashu where Princess Nonhlaula was killed and Queen Buhle ka Mathe was injured.
He also wants to be acceptable to all political parties, said a source in the royal family. Although the king gave his blessing to the celebration last year, he did not attend.
After meeting Zuma and Mtetwa last Sunday, the king called a senior member of the royal house to brief him on the discussions.
Mtetwa said the meetings were merely to discuss preparations for last Saturdays Zulu reed dance (Umhlanga) and this weekends Shaka Day celebrations.
He refused to answer further questions.
By midweek, the kings legal adviser and spokesman could not confirm his attendance at the Shaka Day celebration.