×

We've got news for you.

Register on SowetanLIVE at no cost to receive newsletters, read exclusive articles & more.
Register now

Buthelezi encourages culture

HOME LOST: The house Singela was evicted from. 29/03/09. © Sowetan.
HOME LOST: The house Singela was evicted from. 29/03/09. © Sowetan.

Canaan Mdletshe

Canaan Mdletshe

IFP leader Inkosi Mangosuthu Buthelezi has urged black people to return to their cultural roots.

Speaking in Ulundi yesterday in his capacity as the chairperson of the House of Traditional Leaders in KwaZulu-Natal, Buthelezi urged amakhosi to make sure that they instilled tradition and culture in their subjects, especially among the young people.

He said this was the "only route" that would lead to a prosperous South Africa, free from the scourge of Aids.

"As black African people, we had our own way of upbringing, restoring dignity.

"Each and every young woman or maiden would pride herself by ensuring that she remained a virgin until marriage.

"This made us different from other nations in that we did not need a rubber to protect ourselves from the scourge of Aids and other sexually-transmitted diseases.

"We can't depend on condoms," he said.

Buthelezi said the virus has ravaged the people and wreaked havoc to many.

"I lost two of my children through this virus, which is why I feel that for us to win this war, we need to be vigilant. Going back to our tradition remains the solution.

"The Xhosas and the Zulus have these commonalities that showed that we are one, as the Nguni people," he said.

Inkosi Zilimbola Mpahlana, who led abaThembu delegation from the Eastern Cape, also stressed the "oneness" between Zulus and Xhosas.

"Our history as abaThembu derives from KwaZulu. We have a clan here. Again, both these provinces have strong traditional leadership. Its people strongly believe in their traditional leaders."

Mpahlana said it was time for the two provinces to preach the same gospel.

"Let's preach the gospel of unity. Let's spread the gospel of development.

"Also, the two provinces have strong political foundations, as the leaders of the ANC, since its inception in 1912, came from this province, and those that followed came from Eastern Cape," Mpahlana said.

Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.

Speech Bubbles

Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.