Pretoria - The Provincial Government of KwaZulu-Natal has expressed heartfelt condolences to the family, community and the whole institution of traditional leadership in the province following the passing of Inkosi Simakade Mchunu of Msinga.
Inkosi Mchunu was one of the longest serving and among the most senior traditional leaders in the province.
The provincial government described him as an inimitable leader who played a pivotal role in bringing about peace and stability in the province and in particular the area of Msinga which had become notorious for faction fighting.
"Inkosi Mchunu was a loyal, committed and senior member of the institution of traditional leadership in KwaZulu-Natal. He was passionately involved in all aspects of community development and he must also be credited with bringing and maintaining peace in Msinga at a time when the successive apartheid governments sowed discord among the Zulu people,” said Premier Senzo Mchunu.
Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC Nomusa Dube Ncube said the province had been struck a heavy blow with the passing of Inkosi Mchunu.
“…We stand confused and at a loss for words because of the sudden passing away of our esteemed and charismatic Inkosi Simakade Mchunu. He was a true son of the soil. He was an intellectual par excellence, a person with a passion for this province and particularly the institution of traditional leadership.
“Inkosi Mchunu will be deeply missed for his deep sense of compassion, his sense of justice and his commitment to fair play in whichever situation he found himself.
“He truly lived up to the ideal of a selfless traditional leader who is dedicated to the welfare of his community and who consistently discharged his duties with the greatest respect for the historical role of amakhosi.”
The provincial government said it hoped the friends and family of Inkosi Mchunu would draw comfort in the knowledge that he died as he always lived; as a man of principle, dedication and peace. - SAnews.gov.za
