Mangosuthu Buthelezi has been granted a state funeral but the debate over his legacy reopens wounds.
Mourners have descended on the town of Ulundi to attend the funeral of veteran South African politician and Zulu chief Mangosuthu Buthelezi.
Prof Kealeboga Maphunye, head of African politics at the University of South Africa, acknowledges Buthelezi was "a respected traditional leader who made a contribution in history in ensuring that the dignity of black people, particularly Zulus, was not trampled on by the apartheid regime". Makhanya went on to describe positive tributes about him as "the culmination of the greatest whitewashing of history that South Africa has seen".
"I lost my uncle during the violent clashes. He was bludgeoned to death," a man, who asked not to be named, told the BBC. Events to commemorate the Zulu leader began on Wednesday in Ulundi with a memorial service organised by the IFP and addressed by dignitaries and politicians of all parties.