Zulu Prime Minister Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi will be turning 95 this Sunday and for the first time in years, he will not be home to celebrate with his family. This is because the founder of the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) is still in hospital recovering.

His family confirmed that Buthelezi is making steady progress after he developed a complication after undergoing a procedure for back pain management. Buthelezi was admitted to the Augustine Hospital in Durban in KwaZulu Natal a few weeks ago, where at some point his condition deteriorated and he went into the ICU. In a statement released by family spokesperson Dr. Bhekuyise Ngqengelele Buthelezi, the family said that they were delighted with his recovery progress.

"We as a family of uMntwana wakwaPhindangene Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi, are pleased to report that he has made steady progress under the supervision of his medical team in the hospital. The complication he suffered has been cleared and his doctors are happy with his state of health," Bhekuyise said in the statement. He further said that they are expecting him to be discharged next week. "We are of course saddened that he will not be home in kwaPhindengene for his 95th birthday on Sunday but we are delighted with his recovery and look forward to next week. We thank God that he has weathered the storm, we will have much to celebrate on Sunday," Bhekuyise said, adding that that they would like to thank his medical team for taking good care of Buthelezi.