11th January 2010

STATEMENT BY THE IFP ON THE PASSING AWAY OF INKOSI NYANGA JAMES NGUBANE
(1944 – 2010) 

IFP Secretary-General, Rev Musa Zondi, today expressed the IFP’s sadness at the passing of Party stalwart Inkosi Nyanga Ngubane in the early hours of this morning, 11 January 2010. 

Rev Zondi said, “It is with extreme sadness that the IFP has received the news of the passing away of Inkosi Nyanga James Ngubane at the age of 65 at about 3am this morning, 11 January 2010, at St Anne’s Hospital in Pietermaritzburg where he had been admitted since the middle of last week, after he suddenly collapsed shortly after the New Year.” 

Rev Zondi continued, “Early last Thursday morning, 7 January 2010, we received a telephone call from Inkosi’s eldest son, Mr Fakazi Ngubane, informing us of the admission of his father to hospital after his health had suddenly deteriorated.  He informed us that Inkosi’s doctors had informed them as the family that Inkosi had lapsed into a coma and that his condition was extremely serious.” 

“We were shocked because even though we knew that Inkosi’s health had not been at its best, particularly because since about late September Inkosi could no longer attend meetings of the National Executive Committee and of the National Council because of ill health, it had not occurred to us that his illness would be fatal,” Rev Zondi added. 

“Inkosi spent the best part of October to December receiving medical treatment for renal failure at St Anne’s Hospital but by Christmas and New Year Inkosi Ngubane had been released from hospital and was together with his family and even performed some duties of his clan and this gave us hope that Inkosi Ngubane was on the road to recovery.” 

“Inkosi will be sorely missed by the entire family of the IFP and particularly by His Excellency Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi, the President of the IFP, with whom he worked very closely since the days of the erstwhile KwaZulu Government.  Our condolences therefore go out to Inkosi’s family, to Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi and Amakhosi and the KwaZashuke clan,” Rev Zondi said. 

Rev Zondi continued, “Inkosi Nyanga James Ngubane was born on 18 October 1944 and completed secondary school before starting as a labourer at Spoornet.  Inkosi Ngubane was recruited through TEBA in JHB, trained as a nurse and then worked at a mine hospital.” 

“Inkosi Ngubane’s father passed away in 1947 and acting Amakhosi took leadership of the KwaZashuke clan until Inkosi Nyanga Ngubane was ready to be installed in 1971.  Inkosi Ngubane became Chairperson of the KwaHlanganani Regional Authority and was shortly thereafter nominated as its representative in the KwaZulu Legislative Assembly.” 

“His outstanding leadership qualities led to him being appointed by the then Chief Minister of KwaZulu, Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi, as Deputy Minister of Health in the erstwhile KwaZulu Government.  Inkosi Ngubane also served in Deputy Minister positions in Correctional Services and Works and he was later also appointed as a full Minister without Portfolio in the same government.” 

“When the new political dispensation began in 1994, Inkosi Ngubane became one of the first members of the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature representing the IFP.  Once again his outstanding leadership qualities caused him to be appointed by the first KwaZulu-Natal Premier, Dr FT Mdlalose, as Minister of Traditional and Environmental Affairs.  In 1997 the Portfolio of Safety and Security was added to his other ministerial responsibilities and Inkosi Ngubane held the three portfolios until the 2004 elections.” 

“After the 2004 elections the then KwaZulu-Natal Premier Sbu Ndebele appointed Inkosi Ngubane as Minister of Social Welfare and Population Development until 2006 when the ANC ended the appointment of IFP members on its KZN cabinet.  Until his passing away Inkosi Ngubane was a senior active member of the IFP.” 

“Inkosi Ngubane is survived by his wife, Indlunkulu Sannie (née Thungwane) Ngubane, five sons and two daughters and eleven grandchildren,” Rev Zondi said. 

Rev Zondi announced that, “The memorial service in honour of the late Inkosi Nyanga James Ngubane will be held on Thursday, 14 January 2010, at 14h00 at Pietermaritzburg City Hall.  Inkosi Ngubane’s funeral service will take place at kwaZashuke Traditional Court on Saturday, 16 January 2010, starting at 09h00.” 
 

For further information contact:
IFP Secretary-General, Rev Musa Zondi
083 440 5966