11/09/2023
SPECIAL TRIBUTE TO SHENGE, THE VISIONARY AND PROTECTOR OF BANTU GENIUS
By Makhosi B. KHOZA (PhD)
I have just finished my long yet inexhaustible tribute to Shenge.
In IsiZulu we say “oyishayile, akayosi. Oyosile akayidli. Oyidlile udle icala.” IsiZulu Language Development Institute (Zula-Di) is saddened by the passing of Shenge. Our sadness stems from the recognition and acknowledgment of Shenge’s outstanding visionary leadership.
Shenge is responsible for the preservation, protection and promotion of our proud collective Bantu heritage, history and contribution to humankind.
As we mourn the passing of a giant, Zula-Di gives credit to Shenge for its existence. Hence, we call upon all South Africans to unite in keeping Shenge’s legacy shining bright for the admiration and inspiration of future generations as well.
We need to end the self-destructive culture of greed and corruption in honour of Shenge. As Bantus, we need to unite, support each other and bury our petty jealousies in honour of Shenge, a man of unparalleled wisdom.
UMntwana iNkosi yakwaPhindangene was seen as a traitor and villain not so long ago. Our 30-years of democracy under those meant to unite South Africa and liberate black Africans in particular vindicates Shenge.
Today, we declare Shenge as a man who goes down in history records as a leader of his words for his people. Despite being ridiculed, Shenge single handedly preserved and built Bantu institutions.
We owe the inclusion of Chapter 12 on Traditional Leadership (though inadequate) in the supreme law of the land, the RSA Constitution, 1996 to iNkosi yakwaPhindangene, UMntwana Mangosuthu G. Buthelezi.
Shenge understood the low base we were starting from as Bantus post colonial and apartheid South Africa. He understood the depth of psychological scars that left us crippled, damaged and with impaired and severely distorted perspectives. He knew dehumanisation breeds self-destruction.
In 1990 during CODESA negotiations, Shenge
