Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi was aware that South African political history had established the ANC as the premier black organisation. As late as 1980 the President of Inkatha said:

"I have done more than any other black in this country to keep alive an awareness of the ANC and to retain a sympathy for them in their difficult circumstances. I have repeatedly and publicly had the courage to talk about the ANC as the people's Movement in the country. I have publicly acclaimed it to be in the hearts and minds and very spirit of the people. And I can do this with a clear conscience because its greatness has always been derived from it authenticity as the visible political response of the masses. I am therefore more entitled than anybody else in this country to say to the ANC leadership in exile: 'Don't abandon your people and don't think you can pursue any strategy which ignores them and don't underestimate Inkatha as a continued visible pinnacle of black political achievement in this country. Don't equate us with just any other political organisation. Work with us to further the aims of liberation in partnership with the people."