President Ramaphosa bids farewell to Princess Irene
President Cyril Ramaphosa described the late Princess Irene Audrey Thandekile Buthelezi as a woman who placed the interest of the collective interest above her own.
Scores of mourners gathered at the Ulundi stadium in KwaZulu-Natal on Friday to bid farewell to IFP leader Mangosuthu Buthelezi's wife.
Princess Irene died after a long illness on Monday morning at the KwaPhindangene palace in KwaZulu-Natal.
Ramaphosa said the princess had an impact on the lives of rural women.
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"Who felt they could approach her with confidence, with challenges that they were having to confront on ongoing bases. She performed her royal and community duties as well as those of spouse to the leader of Inkatha Freedom Party with grace and with dignity."
He said the princess will be remembered as a person who gave herself for others.
"Her family, her community, her country. In her honour, we should all seek to follow in her footsteps and give of our time, of our efforts and our energies in the service of others like she did.”
Ramaphosa told mourners that he imagined the princess meeting other fallen apartheid fighters.
"Our mother has gone to her maker where she's going to be welcomed and rewarded for all that she has done. I can imagine that in her journey now as she journeys to that very fine place she's going to meet many others who have played an iconic role in our struggle. I can picture her meeting John Langalibalele Dube, I can picture her meeting Nelson Mandela, I can picture her meeting Mam' Albertina Sisulu, I can picture her meeting many others who played a key role in making South Africa what it is today."
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