Mangosuthu Buthelezi

Chief Mangosuthu ("Gatsha") Buthelezi (born August 27, 1928) is a South African Zulu leader, and leader of the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) which he formed in 1975. He uses the title "Dr" to refer to himself, on account of the many honorary doctorates he has received.

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He was born on August 27, 1928, in Mahlabathini, KwaZulu-Natal, to Chief Mathole Buthelezi and princess Magogo kaDinizulu, the sister of King Solomon kaDinizulu. He was educated at at Impumalanga Primary School, Mahashini, Nongoma 1933/1943, then at Adams College, Amanzimtoti 1944/47.

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He gained a BA at University of Fort Hare from 1948 to 1950, he opted for a legal career which was cut short when he inherited the chieftainship of the large Buthelezi tribe in 1953 - a position he still holds today.

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He was viewed by many as a collaborator with the Apartheid regime as he tried to work with it through the IFP. He was leader of the now defunct semi-independent Bantustan of KwaZulu.

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While he was the leader of the KwaZulu territorial Authority in 1982, Buthelezi opposed the apartheid government's plan to cede the Ingwavuma region in northern Natal to the Swaziland government. The courts decided in his favour on the grounds that the government had not followed its own black constitution act of 1972 which required consultation with the people of the region.

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Jealous of the role given to the African National Congress in negotiations about post-Apartheid South Africa's constitutional structure, Buthelezi at first refused to participate in the first democratic South African elections in 1994. However the violence caused by this decision turned opinion inside the IFP around and they registered to participate in the election at the last minute.

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In May, 1994 Buthelezi was appointed Minister of Home Affairs in the first post-Apartheid government, a position he continued to hold following the 1999 elections. He was appointed acting president a number of times during this period.

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Buthelezi fell out with the ANC prior to the 2004 elections, and lost his position as Minister of Home Affairs.

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Voted 15th in the controversial Top 100 Great South Africans poll (see List of South Africans).

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August 27: August 27 is the 239th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (240th in leap years), with 126 days remaining....

1928: 1928 was a leap year starting on Sunday (link will take you to calendar)....

South African: REDIRECT South Africa...