Inkatha Freedom Party Party (IFP) President Velenkosini Hlabisa has donated 17 cows to the family of the party founder and former president Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi, ahead of the funeral tomorrow.

PAYING TRIBUTE

Hlabisa paid his tribute to uMntwana wakwaPhindangene on Thursday, two days before his funeral, which will be held at Ulundi Regional stadium in Ulundi,north of KwaZulu Natal. Speaking during the memorial service, Hlabisa said that he had consistently prayed for Buthelezi during the time he spent in hospital. "As the leader of the party that uMntwana founded, nurtured and raised into a political force to be reckoned with, I believe that I speak on behalf of each and every IFP member when I say that there will never again be a leader like uMntwana waKwaPhindangene. Hlabisa said that the loss of Buthelezi has left a gaping vacuum in the IFP, in the Zulu Kingdom and in the South African political landscape," Hlabisa said. He added that even though Buthelezi is no more, there is still work they have to do as the party to honour his name. "He had the unique ability to excel at everything he put his hand to. Buthelezi was a true mentor," he said.

DONATING COWS

As respect to Buthelezi ,who is coming from a royal family, Hlabisa personally donated 17 cows to the Buthelezi family. Hlabisa who promised the family the livestock on Thursday had them delivered today. Yesterday, Ezemvelo Wild Life also donated six impala and one giraffe to be slaughtered during the funeral. In total, 45 cows have been slaughtered for the hundreds of mourners expected. Earlier today, Eskom announced that there will be no loadshedding in Ulundi this weekend.