Thulasizwe Buthelezi Biography, Wiki, Age, Wife, Parents, Net Worth, Qualifications, and More
Thulasizwe Buthelezi is a South African politician and the son of the late Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi, the founder and president emeritus of the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP). He is currently serving as the IFP’s national spokesperson and the leader of the official opposition in the KwaZulu-Natal legislature. He is also a member of the Zulu royal family and the traditional prime minister to the Zulu monarch, King Misuzulu Zulu.
Early Life and Education
Thulasizwe was born on 15 June 1972 in Ulundi, KwaZulu-Natal. He is the sixth child and the third son of Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi and his wife, Princess Irene Audrey Thandekile Mzila. He grew up in a politically active family, as his father was the chief minister of the KwaZulu bantustan during apartheid and the leader of the IFP, a Zulu nationalist party that opposed the African National Congress (ANC).
Buthelezi attended Impumalanga Primary School in Mahashini, Nongoma, and later went to Adams College in Amanzimtoti, where he completed his matriculation in 1990. He then enrolled at the University of Pretoria, where he obtained a Bachelor of Commerce degree in 1994. He also holds a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of South Africa, which he completed in 2001.
Physical Stats
| Weight | In Kilograms: 75 kg |
| Height | In Feet Inches: 5′ 7″ |
| Hair Color | Black. |
| Eye Color | Black. |
| Shoe Size | 6 US. |
Controversies
Thulasizwe has been involved in several controversies throughout his political career, such as:
- In October 2023, he was accused of making comments that incited political killings in Nongoma, northern KwaZulu-Natal, after he was caught in a video clip making what is believed to be threats of violence.
- In August 2023, he came under fire for allegedly sexually abusing female employees in the municipality. He, in turn, accused ANC provincial secretary Bheki Mtolo and NFP councilors of a smear campaign to tarnish his name.
- In 2019, he was accused of collusion with members of the radical forum Amadelangokubona to allegedly get rid of the head of the Department of Technical Services at the municipality, Emannuel Sibusiso Ngcobo. Ngcobo claimed that he feared for his life after a fallout with Buthelezi who allegedly wanted to award tenders to friends and relatives.
- In March 2019, he faced a motion of no confidence less than five months into his tenure as mayor. The motion was brought by the ANC, NFP, and EFF, who accused him of maladministration, corruption, nepotism, and poor service delivery. The motion failed after the IFP councilors walked out of the council meeting.
Nationality, Ethnicity, and Religion
Thulasizwe is a South African citizen by birth. He belongs to the Zulu ethnic group, which is the largest in South Africa and has a rich history and culture. He is a descendant of King Shaka Zulu, the founder of the Zulu kingdom in the 19th century.
He is also a devout Christian and a member of the Anglican Church. He is a follower of the teachings of Bishop Alpheus Zulu, who was a close friend and mentor of his father, Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi.
Thulasizwe Buthelezi Wiki/Bio
| Name | Thulasizwe Buthelezi |
| Born | 15 June 1972 |
| Birthplace | Ulundi, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa |
| Occupation | Politician, traditional leader |
| Political party | Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) |
| Position | National spokesperson of IFP, leader of the official opposition in KwaZulu-Natal legislature, traditional prime minister to the Zulu monarch |
| Education | The University of Pretoria The University of South Africa |
| Spouse | Nokuthula Buthelezi |
| Children | Four |
| Parents | Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi and Princess Irene Audrey Thandekile Mzila |
| Net worth | Estimated to be around R10 million |
| Religion | Anglican |
| Ethnicity | Zulu |
| thulasizwebuthelezi | |
| thula.buthelezi.5 | |
| Homepage | newsunzip.com |
Political Career
Buthelezi joined the IFP in 1994, following in his father’s footsteps. He started his political career as a councilor in the Ulundi Local Municipality, where he served as the chairperson of the finance committee from 1996 to 2000. He then became the mayor of Ulundi from 2000 to 2006, and the deputy mayor from 2006 to 2011.
In 2011, he was elected as a member of the KwaZulu-Natal provincial legislature, representing the IFP. He was appointed as the chairperson of the portfolio committee on finance and economic development, and later as the chairperson of the standing committee on public accounts. He also served as the IFP’s provincial treasurer and the deputy chairperson of the party’s caucus in the legislature.
In 2019, he was re-elected as a member of the provincial legislature and became the leader of the official opposition, as the IFP regained its position as the second-largest party in the province after the ANC. He was also appointed as the IFP’s national spokesperson by the party’s new president, Velenkosini Hlabisa, who succeeded Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi in 2019.
As the leader of the opposition and the national spokesperson, Thulasizwe has been vocal on various issues affecting the province and the country, such as service delivery, corruption, governance, economic development, social justice, and security. He has also been involved in the negotiations and consultations between the Zulu royal family and the government, following the death of King Goodwill Zwelithini in March 2021 and the succession dispute that ensued.
Personal Life, Spouse & Kids
Thulasizwe is married to Nokuthula Buthelezi, and they have four children together. He is a devout Christian and a member of the Anglican Church. He is also a sports enthusiast and enjoys playing golf and soccer.
Net worth
Thulasizwe Buthelezi’s net worth is estimated to be around R10 million, according to various sources. He earns a salary of R1.9 million per year as a member of the provincial legislature, and he also has other sources of income from his business ventures and investments.
Why did King Misuzulu choose Thulasizwe Buthelezi?
King Misuzulu, who ascended to the throne in May 2021 after the death of his father, King Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu, said he chose Thulasizwe because he had worked closely with Prince Buthelezi for many years and understood his vision for the nation. He also said he wanted someone who was loyal, trustworthy, and committed to the welfare of the Zulu people.
The king also appointed Inkosi Phathisizwe Chiliza, the former chairperson of the KwaZulu-Natal House of Traditional Leaders, as his deputy prime minister. He said Chiliza had also worked well with his father and had proven his leadership skills in the provincial house.
The king said he decided to appoint both a prime minister and a deputy because of the amount of work that needed to be done to unite and develop the nation. He said the last three years had been painful for the Zulu nation, following the deaths of his father, his mother Queen Mantfombi Dlamini Zulu, and Prince Buthelezi.
What are the roles and responsibilities of the traditional prime minister?
The traditional prime minister, also known as the induna, is the chief advisor and spokesperson of the king. He is responsible for communicating the king’s wishes and decisions to the people, as well as representing the king in various forums and events. He also oversees the administration and management of the royal household and the affairs of the Zulu nation.
The traditional prime minister is not a political figure, but rather a cultural and ceremonial one. He does not interfere with the democratic processes and institutions of the country but rather works to preserve and promote the Zulu culture, traditions, and values. He also acts as a mediator and a peacemaker in times of conflict and crisis.
Thulasizwe is a rising star of South African politics and a prominent figure in the Zulu community. He is the son of the legendary Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi, who shaped the history and politics of the country for more than four decades. He is also the heir to the traditional prime ministership of the Zulu royal family, which gives him a significant influence and responsibility.
Thulasizwe Buthelezi has proven himself to be a capable and charismatic leader, who has led the IFP to a remarkable comeback in the KwaZulu-Natal province. He has also shown his commitment and dedication to serving the people of the province and the country, by advocating for good governance, accountability, and development. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential and respected politicians in South Africa today.
