Canaan Mdletshe

KwaZulu-Natal ANC chairman Zweli Mkhize has paid tribute to freedom fighters such as Simangaliso Sobukwe, Albert Luthuli, Mahatma Ghandi, Malcolm X and Steve Biko.

He said their "contribution to the liberation of South Africa can never be measured".

Speaking in Durban at the official send-off for Malcolm X's daughter, Ilyasah Shabazz, who has been in the country since last week, Mkhize said the role played by these icons would always be cherished by generations to come.

"Struggle against injustices is also a struggle to retain our dignity, identity and customs," he said.

"It is part of our symbols as a black nation. These leaders will be remembered by generations to come."

Mkhize, who was also sworn in as acting premier yesterday, said that international leaders such as Malcolm X were leaders in their own right and "contributed immensely to the freedom of many marginalised people throughout the continent and the world".

Shabazz said her father envisaged South Africa's freedom and preached the gospel of black people's liberation throughout the world

"His contribution to the struggle was to educate the world about the need of black people's liberation," she said.

"He was enslaved in in the US but stood up and taught that segregated nations were not different nations.

"Just like Nelson Mandela and Steve Biko, he believed that tomorrow belonged to all those who prepared themselves today," Shabazz said.