Buthelezi’s Solipsism
Friday, May 9th, 2008This just in: Inkatha Freedom Party leader Mangosuthu Buthelezi is mostly concerned with the interests of Mangosuthu Buthelezi. Buthelezi is threatening to file suit to prevent the passage of a law that will make the position of chairperson of the KwaZulu-Natal House of Traditional Leaders permanent, thus forcing him to choose between his position as part-time chair of the house and his job as a national Member of Parliament. But wait — there is not just self interest, but also hypocrisy at work: Buthelezi initially championed the legislation when he thought it would allow him to consolidate his power without consequence. If there is a politician with the capacity to become a Big Man in South Africa, it is Buthelezi. Thankfully he does not have a broad enough power base to use as a springboard to national leadership.