The Inkatha Freedom Party Youth Brigade (IFPYB) learnt with immense sadness of the passing of its National Chairperson, Hon. Mthokozisi Nxumalo. He passed away on Sunday night after an accident in KwaNongoma, in northern KwaZulu-Natal.
The Youth Brigade is deeply saddened by Hon. Nxumalo’s death and wishes to convey its deep and heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, acquaintances, and comrades in the Party. We wish his family strength and courage in this this dark hour.
Comrade Mthokozisi was elected as the Chairperson of the IFPYB in July 2019, after it held a National Elective Conference in Ulundi, KwaZulu-Natal.
At the time of his death, he was also a member of Parliament, where he served on the Portfolio Committees for Public Works and Infrastructure, and Higher Education, Science and Technology, and previously served on the Portfolio Committee for Mineral Resources and Energy.
His passing leaves a void in the IFPYB structures, as well as within the youth of this country.
We have been robbed of a champion of the youth agenda and a true custodian of the social free market economy. His passion for young people’s emancipation saw him travel to other countries to learn best practices for youth participation in the mainstream economy. He was inspired by the politics of the IFP Founder and President Emeritus, Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi, who during dark days of apartheid, advocated for “Education for Liberation”, while others were discouraging education at the expense of liberation.
It is that ideology that drove him to the structures of the South African Democratic Students’ Movement (SADESMO), where, thanks to his hard work and political insight, he was elected President.
We wish to extend our deepest condolences to the Nxumalo and Mkhwanazi Families, his fiancé and their two children, and to the President Emeritus, Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi, with the tragic passing of their beloved son. We further extend our condolences to the IFP National Executive Committee - led by Hon. VF Hlabisa, our President - of which Hon. Nxumalo was a member; as well as the National Executive Committee of the IFPYB and to all youth structures. We have lost a comrade, leader, brother, and colleague.
The IFPYB is left with no option but to carry Hon. Nxumalo’s vision forward, and pay tribute to him for his contribution towards transforming the lives of young people in this country. In his honour, the structures of the IFPYB will host a series of youth programmes - under strict Covid-19 protocols - to ensure the inclusion of young people in the political and socio-economic arenas.
The IFPYB dips its banners in tribute to its National Chairperson. Details of the memorial and funeral service will be communicated in due course.
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Contact:
Mlungisi Mabaso
IFPYB National Secretary
073 598 8785
