There’s a wise Zulu saying “ligotshwa lisemanzi” which can be loosely translated to mean: it’s much easier to mould something while it’s still wet or soft.
However, it’s often used in a context that means it’s important to address or attend to issues as quickly as possible.
On Saturday, there were concerning violent clashes between IFP and ANC members after MEC Siboniso Duma, who is also ANC chairperson in the province, protested against the Zulu nation’s prime minister Thulasizwe Buthelezi’s speech.
Duma had allegedly grabbed the microphone from Buthelezi, a senior provincial IFP leader, after he had mentioned ANC provincial secretary Bheki Mtolo.
This microphone-snatching incident took place at the 110th anniversary celebration of the late Zulu King Dinuzulu kaCetshwayo, which was attended by President Cyril Ramaphosa and King Misuzulu KaZwelithini at kwaCeza outside Ulundi.
The anniversary is considered an important occasion for the Zulu monarch and the Zulu nation, hence it was attended by people from different political affiliations.
ANC national spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri claimed the ANC members were then attacked by “IFP members who were bussed in from a hostel”.
The IFP however disputed the ANC’s version, claiming it was the ANC that had brought in “a rent-a-crowd” that was behind the fracas.
“They (ANC) claim the IFP bussed in supporters from a hostel in Zululand, there is no hostel in Zululand. The ruling party alleges, without offering any evidence, that IFP supporters are responsible. But we reject the ANC’s baseless claims, when they were in fact the ones busing in their rent-a-crowd,” IFP spokesperson Mkhuleko Hlengwa said.
This should not be seen as an isolated violent incident as the region unfortunately has a history of hostilities, bloodshed and intolerance, mainly between the two political parties at the centre of this incident.
Hlengwa was accurate when he told TimesLIVE Premium on Sunday that “no IFP member — as far as we are aware — is in police custody”.
There may be nobody in police custody, hospital or even the morgue, however, if this is not attended to by all relevant stakeholders, including law enforcement authorities, it may escalate into full-blown violence.
We call on leaders of these two parties to condemn this incident and distance themselves from the hooligans that engaged in the violence.
We also appeal to community elders, church leaders and Amakhosi to quickly show leadership by engaging in efforts and initiatives that promote political tolerance and maturity in the Zululand region.
We are just two months away from much-anticipated national elections where KwaZulu-Natal will be one of the highly contested provinces.
If early polls are anything to go by, then the elections may not produce an outright majority winner and this may lead to intensified campaigns ahead of May 29.
This worrying incident also takes place as parties such as the IFP, ANC and newly formed uMkhonto weSizwe compete for members in the Zululand region.
Political violence has been a problem in the province dating back to before the 1994 elections, so it’s critically important that such episodes of violent clashes get the attention they rightfully deserve.
Police must, first and foremost, ensure that this incident is thoroughly investigated and those behind the violence must face the full wrath of the law as quickly as possible. We hope all parties will play their part in ensuring that violence doesn't rear its ugly head again, especially at such a crucial period in our young democracy.
The Zulu saying “ligotshwa lisemanzi” is so relevant right now as violence is never a solution — whether in Zululand or anywhere else in South Africa — as the country prepares to head to the polls. Failure to react swiftly now may easily encourage the hooligans behind Saturday's incident to repeat something similar as campaigning intensifies.
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