'Shenge! Shenge!': Chanting, praise-singing and ululation as Buthelezi's body enters stadium

• IFP leader Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi has arrived at the regional stadium in uLundi, KwaZulu-Natal.
• President Cyril Ramaphosa will deliver an address in the afternoon.
• A Buthelezi backer says the former IFP leader's son has to take over as Zulu traditional minister, but this could be a bone of contention in the Zulu royal family.

The body of former IFP leader Mangosuthu Buthelezi entered the eponymous regional stadium amid ululation, high emotions and praise-singing in the mid-morning in uLundi, KwaZulu-Natal on Saturday.

Often referred to by his clan name Shenge, Buthelezi, 95, died last Saturday.

Strongly revered in KwaZulu-Natal, especially in the north of the province, he was considered a controversial and polarising figure in quarters elsewhere. The controversy relates to his role at the tail end of apartheid.

Meanwhile, at the stadium, which was packed to the rafters by supporters clad in IFP regalia, there wasn't a shred of doubt about his legacy in the Zulu nation.

The coffin of Mangosuthu Buthelezi, traditional prime minister of the Zulu monarch and IFP founder, placed at the centre of the stadium where his funeral is taking place.

Alfonos Nqunjana/News24

"Shenge! Shenge!" IFP supporters and Amabutho regiments chanted before the event proceeded.

The chant reverberated across the stadium:

IFP Youth Brigade secretary Mlungisi Mabaso said Buthelezi was often on the ground with the people and never moved away from his community.

There are talks in the family that Buthelezi's son, Ntuthuko, should succeed his father as the prime minister.

Mourners gathered in Ulundi, KwaZulu-Natal for the funeral of IFP founder and leader Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi.

Thousands of mourners gathered for the funeral of prime minister of the Zulu nation.

Mourners gathered to pay their last respect to the late Mangosuthu Buthelezi.

Alfonos Nqunjana/News24

But this has been opposed vehemently by some in the Zulu royal home.

Professor Musa Xulu, Buthelezi's friend, a cultural expert and founder of Zulu kingdom think tank Indonsa Yesizwe, told News24: "After the funeral I expect a difficult task of rebuilding the Zulu kingdom without him, because he really personified the Zulu kingdom."

WATCH LIVE | IFP leader Mangosuthu Buthelezi's special official funeral

He said Ntuthuko would have to assume the post of traditional prime minister.

"It is a given because he is next in line," Xulu added.

However, in May 2022, Zulu royal family member, Prince Afrika Zulu – who is now King Misizulu kaZwelithini's spokesperson – accused Buthelezi of capturing the Zulu monarch and trying to force Nthuthuko to ascend, according to the Daily Sun.

After the funeral rituals, Xulu said the Buthelezi family would be left on their own to mourn for at least a year.

"Then, after a year, they conduct a cleansing ceremony which is the last, direct ceremony aimed specifically at finalising his union with the ancestors."

The first part of the programme comprised the family. IFP mayor Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi was the programme director.

Social Development Minister Lindiwe Zulu, who is an ANC leader, is expected to direct the second programme before President Ramaphosa speaks.

Other dignitaries include Anglican Archbishop Thabo Makgoba, former Nigerian president Olusegun Obasanjo and KwaZulu-Natal Premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube.