It is time for Mangosuthu Buthelezi to leave Parliament

The Parliament of South Africa is often and rightly accused of being an old age home.

The National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces are littered with members who have more summers behind them than ahead of them.

These old Members of Parliament (MPs) have served since the first administration and continue to only reap the benefits for their inputs in the struggle.

One such member is veteran politician Mangosuthu Buthelezi.

At 91, Buthelezi is still a full member of the National Assembly and leads the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) in the house.

After he stepped down as the President of the IFP last month (having led the party for over 44 years), many were expecting the former Bantustan leader to immediately relinquish his position in the National Assembly.

However, that is yet to happen thus far.

Buthelezi, who has been in Parliament for 25 years is one of the oldest and longest-serving MPs in the country.

While the IFP is full of young leaders at its disposal, with the current leader Velenkosini Hlabisa much younger than Buthelezi.

The big question has been when will the ageing Buthelezi make way for these young leaders to blossom?

Buthelezi at his age contributes absolutely nothing in Parliament, except drawing a monthly salary each month.

The ageing leader makes few cameos in the house and also does not participate in any Parliamentary committees.

Buthelezi should make way for Hlabisa to take over the leadership role in the National Assembly.

At his age, Buthelezi should be resting well in his home village in Kwa-Zulu Natal province and allow the new blood to take the lead in making the IFP’s presence in the National Assembly felt.

It cannot be that the young people in the IFP can allow a 91-year-old to lead the process of pushing the party’s policies in Parliament.

Buthelezi despite his colourful history deserves to rest like any other leader of his generation.

He has served the old apartheid and the democratic government well.

But in all fairness, Buthelezi is not the only pensioner in Parliament.

The ruling ANC party also contributes a few fossils in their cabinet and benches in both houses of Parliament.

Parliament can no longer be an old age haven for old politicians.

It should be an arena where young people from different political parties play an active role in drafting laws which will benefit the people of South Africa.

Buthelezi and his friends from the ANC must give young people a chance to lead the new debates in Parliament.

3 thoughts on “It is time for Mangosuthu Buthelezi to leave Parliament

  1. Why did u mention Buthelezi only is it something to do with tribalism or what.U mention Buthelezi and from there u said some are in the ANC but u didn’t mention their names Why?

  2. True .It is time for Shenge to have more time with his family.I wonder why his family don’t tell him to rest and enjoy his fruits.
    Nkosi yami phumula manje ususebenzile.Shenge must step aside allow Mr Hlabisa to sweat in parliament.Even in Natu there are many leaders that are capable….
    Yes Once a Natu you are a real NKATHA(IFP), just like Mr Siphosethu Ngcobo.

  3. Have you considered that Ubabu U Buthelezi has just lost his wife and lost many if his children, does it occur to you that perhaps waking up everyday to go to work is the only thing that is keeping him going? Where were you were the ANC fielded a mayor in Nelson Mandela bay that was over 80 years.?

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