ActionSA has received permission from the Buthelezi family to go ahead with its efforts to rename eThekwini municipality after the late Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi.
The party visited the family at its KwaPhindangene royal palace, Ulundi, on Monday to seek the blessings of the Buthelezis and congratulate the newly appointed chief of the Buthelezi clan, Prince Zuzifa Buthelezi.
Buthelezi, the eldest son of the IFP founder, was identified to succeed his father as the leader of the clan at the weekend.
An ActionSA delegation, led by provincial chairperson Zwakele Mncwango, gifted the new chief a cow to celebrate his appointment.
“Today [Monday] we were there to really say thank you to the family of KwaPhindangene for having this peaceful transition in appointing the new inkosi of the Buthelezi clan,” said Mncwango.
They also had “fruitful” discussions with the new inkosi and elders of the family about the party’s intention to table a motion to rename eThekwini after Buthelezi.
Mncwango announced their intention during Buthelezi’s provincial memorial service in KwaMashu in early November.
“We believe it is fitting that, in our efforts to honour him, we consult his family and seek their support,” he said.
They have now received the green light from the family, who also gifted them with a cow in return.
“We were received well by the family and inkosi. He was excited by what ActionSA is proposing and gave [his] full blessings and support [for] our view because this will protect the legacy of uMtwana wakaPhindangene, the role he played and also correct the history of this province,” said Mncwango.
The next step will be to lobby other parties in eThekwini to support the motion and prepare to present it in council.
Meanwhile, the DA's push to dissolve the eThekwini council will be tabled in the next meeting in January.
Speaker Thabani Nyawose confirmed receipt of the notice of motion and that it will be considered at the beginning of the new year.
“The DA has brought this motion as an urgent push towards saving the collapsing city,” said eThekwini council DA chief whip Yogis Govender.
“The supply of water, electricity and sanitation services has reached a stage of total dysfunctionality. In many parts of the city refuse management has completely collapsed while millions are paid to supposedly keep our streets clean.”
For the motion to succeed, it will need the support of at least two-thirds of the council. If it succeeds, new elections must be held.
eThekwini is governed by the ANC with support from the EFF and NFP.
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