IFP Head Office Durban,  Wednesday 11 August 2010

Twenty-one years ago, one of the outstanding leaders of the Inkatha Youth Brigade, its former National Secretary Zakhele Nkehli, was gunned down by unknown assassins. These assassins, up until today, have never been apprehended. They killed Nkehli in the prime of his life and robbed the IFP and KwaZulu-Natal of one of their brilliant young minds.

Nkehli did not just leave a void in his family, as he left a young wife and children. He also left a void in the Mpumalanga Township as he was one of the pillars of that township. He was a Councillor and a servant of the community. But more importantly Nkehli left a void in the politics of this country as he was a member of the then Central Committee of a liberation movement Inkatha YeNkululeko YeSizwe. Like the founder of Inkatha, Nkehli was committed to the hallowed values of the struggle as nurtured by the founding fathers of the African National Congress.    

When the unfortunate black-on-black violence erupted in Mpumalanga, and when the then ANC-SACP-UDF-COSATU Alliance set about to destroy Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi and Inkatha, Nkehli raised his hand to defend his beliefs and the people of Mpumalanga. Again when sanity began to prevail among certain sections of the Alliance, he never hesitated to be a frontrunner in efforts to quell violence and bring about reconciliation between Inkatha and the Alliance in Mpumalanga. He was a pioneer in the peace that was ultimately achieved in Mpumalanga. Unfortunately, it was the late-comers who ultimately claimed credit for that peace and were honoured with doctoral degrees.    

These are the circumstances that led to the formation of the Zakhele Nkehli Commemorative Games. We felt that Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal owe much to this hero. This is our contribution to ensure that Nkehli and the course he fought and died for do not disappear. This is critical, as we live in times when there are efforts to rewrite South African history.

We have set up these games, which will begin on Saturday at eMaxulwini School in Mpumalanga Township. The games will include soccer, netball, volleyball and traditional Zulu dance. The climax will be on Sunday when finalists in each sport code will fight for the top spot. The Ebenezer Ministries Choir will feature on Sunday. We intend to make this an Annual Programme.     

Lastly we would feel greatly honoured to have reporters and other communities join us, so that we can enjoy this important day together.   

I thank you.

Mr. Victor Dladla

Co-coordinator: Zakhele Nkehli Commemorative Games