'Tell me who your friends are...'

[p. 140]

Minister Mangosuthu Gatsha Buthelezi

[p. 141]

Mangosuthu Gatsha Buthelezi (78) is leader of the Inkatha Freedom Party which stands for a large degree of autonomy for the Zulu nation. He is Chief Minister of Kwa Zulu with its seat of government in Ulundi. Natal has an impressive modern full-fledged parliament building, which I already visited in 1987. It was during the first years of reporting from South Africa in the mid eighties, that I contacted Chief Buthelezi. I came to know him, presently minister of Internal Affairs in both the Mandela and Mbeki governments, through both a steady correspondence, as well as through a series of very private discussions on both national and international affairs. While Nelson Mandela and the anc remained intertwined with the South African Communist Party (sacp), Gatsha Buthelezi stood all along firm on his long-time concept of a one man one vote democracy based on a free market economy.

I last visited him in September 2002. He suggested to dine together in Cape Town. Peter and I had just flown back to Johannesburg after a five day vacation there together. But I returned to the Cape for the meeting with this remarkable South African statesman, who will always be closely linked to the history of the struggle against apartheid. Mandela and Buthelezi followed different routes to achieve the same aim: freedom and equality for South Africans. They will go down into history as icons of South African liberation and resistance movement. We again spent three memorable hours at dinner in the Vendôme Hotel. He knows, that I consider our meetings as strictly confidential. But, of course, I do make notes in my dairy, that some day will be published. Some weeks later he sent me a letter and picture as his contribution to this book of friends for which I am in his case particularly grateful.

[p. 142]

Kwaphindangene', P.O. Box I, Mahlabathini 3865, Kwa Zulu-Natal, South Africa Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone]'
28 September 2002
Dear Mr Oltmans
Thanks for your letter of the 14^th September.
Thanks for the beautiful picture of the two of us on which we both look so good.
It was something I would not have accepted to miss seeing you again on your recent visit to our Country.
Thanks for the Newspaper clipping which you enclosed for me from ‘Business Day’ Newspaper.
Thanks for the trouble that you have taken to contact the young researcher at Leiden University. We will take the matter further.
I enjoyed being in your company as always. You are such a unique individual who has such a wide experience in the World that it is a privilege to sit with you and listen to you.
Our warmest regards.
Yours sincerely
MANGOSUTHU BUTHELEZI
lbs
Mr Willem Oltmans
Singel 111
1012 VH AMSTERDAM
THE NETHERLANDS