IFP MOURNS PRINCE GIDEON ZULU

The IFP mourns the passing away of its stalwart, former KwaZulu-Natal Minister of Social Welfare and Pensions and senior member of the Zulu royal family, Prince Gideon Zulu.

"Prince Gideon Zulu knew the meaning of selfless service, loyalty and pride in his cultural heritage," said Dr Lionel Mtshali MPP, who leads the IFP in the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Parliament where the Prince was also a member.

Dr Mtshali also said:
"The Prince played a unique role in supporting Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi's efforts to preserve the institution of monarchy and its integrity.

"The Prince had a major personal following. To many in the Zulu nation, he symbolised its grand history of which he kept a meticulous record as an accomplished historian. He was a traditionalist in the truest sense of the word.

"The Prince's rousing oratory during annual Shaka Day celebrations in KwaDukuza as well as at other traditional functions will never be forgotten by those in the audience. His powerful speeches invoked warrior pride among the present Zulus in a spectacular display of tradition and living history."

Before 1994, the Prince served as a Deputy Minister of Agriculture and later Welfare in the erstwhile KwaZulu government. Between 1994 and 2004, he served in the KwaZulu-Natal provincial cabinet as Minister of Social Welfare and Pensions. In 2004, he became an ordinary member of the legislature.


Contact: Dr Lionel Mtshali, 083 256 4902
Date: 17 May 2006