Ramaphosa said Buthelezi helped ‘avoid disaster’ during South Africa’s transition
added that Buthelezi also played a key role in the transition from apartheid to the democratic dispensation in the aftermath of political tensions between rival IFP and African National Congress supporters in the late 1980s and early 1990s.ANC“There can be no doubt that this was a turning point in the transition process, and a decisive moment. Had Prince Buthelezi not taken this decision in the best interests of peace, South Africa might be a vastly different place today.
“At a political level we did not always agree. We often found ourselves on opposing sides of one or another issue. He never shied away from a harsh word, a criticism or from voicing his dissent.” “I have always admired his commitment to finding common ground amongst political leaders and parties, particularly between the Inkatha Freedom Party and the African National Congress,” Ramaphosa said.
Ramaphosa said Buthelezi understood too well that the IFP and ANC share a common goal of a better South Africa. “Difficult as it may be right now, it is important that we fulfill the wishes he had for a sustainable and durable reconciliation not only between the IFP and the ANC but amongst all of us as the people of South Africa” Ramaphosa said.
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