IFP mourns the death of Inkosi Khawula

It was with regret and sadness that the IFP National Spokesperson, Rev. K. M. Zondi, announced this morning after being informed by his family, that Inkosi Khawula has passed away last night from a long illness.

Rev. Zondi extended the condolences of the IFP to Inkosi Khawula's family and said that Inkosi Khawula would be remembered with great affection and deep appreciation for his life and service.

The funeral service will be held on Sunday 20th May in the KwaHlongwa Hall at the KwaSangweni Sports Field in Mzumbe, which is close to the late Inkosi Khawula's home, at 07:00 hrs.

"The life and times of Inkosi Khawula"

Inkosi Khawula was born in KwaHlongwa in Mzumbe on April 19th 1928 to his parents Inkosi Dingezweni and Mambhele.

Inkosi Khawula grew up in the heart of the Zulu Kingdom and gained a deep pride in his Zulu heritage and traditions at a young age, and they were to guide and sustain him throughout his whole life.

At the tender age of twenty-one, Inkosi Khawula was to become the youngest Inkosi in the area, due to the untimely death of his father. He continued to grow in stature and gained the respect and affection of his community.

Inkosi Khawula was actively involved in the Inkatha Liberation Movement from its inception and was a member of its Central Committee.

Inkosi Khawula served in the Kwa-Zulu legislature from its inception in Nongoma through the period when the legislature was relocated to Ulundi until 1994. In this period he also served as a whip. After 1994 he served in the new provincial legislature in which he was the Chairperson of the portfolio committee on Traditional Leadership and a member of the Transport Committee. Inkosi Khawula was a robust and articulate initiator of several forums and fora to provide an exchange of ideas and policies to intensify the struggle for liberation and to provide good governance in the new South Africa.

He also served as the deputy chairperson of Mzumbe Regional Authority, a post he held until a few years ago. Inkosi Khawula was also a fine ambassador for bringing the Inkatha message to the communities of the South Coast.

More importantly than his distinguished service, Inkosi Khawula will be remembered with deep affection for his zest for life, his constant loyalty and his capacity for friendship, generosity and love. He embodied the essence of Ubuntu and was an absolute gentleman.

Inkosi Khawula's passing is a very sad time for his family and friends, but they will derive comfort from the knowledge that he was held in such high esteem and affection by so many and that his life was well spent.

Inkosi Khawula is survived by his wife Flora, eight children and twenty-two grandchildren.

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