Buthelezi funeral: Tall order to feed mourning masses

The slaughter of two giraffes for Mangosuthu Buthelezi’s funeral left many baffled this week. But cultural experts said there was no significance behind the choice of animals, which were killed simply to provide food for the mourners.

On Friday, mourners skinned the carcasses of the two giraffes and six impalas, while 80 cows were slaughtered in preparation for Buthelezi’s funeral.

Mpumeleli Ngidi, an historian at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), said that in the past hunting for wildlife was customary ahead of the funerals of traditional leaders or chiefs to supplement the meat on offer, because there were seldom enough cattle available  for such events.

“People used to hunt for animals, including giraffe. Now since people no longer go and hunt, they were donated by Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife. There have been circumstances where there has been a shortage of food, especially at the coronation of the late King Goodwill Zwelithini,” he said.

Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife spokesperson Musa Mntambo said the Osuthu Royal Palace, the official residence of King Zwelithini, had requested specific animals for the funeral yesterday.

“It is common for such animals to be donated to traditional authorities and all I can say is that it happens often. However, there will be a statement from the provincial government to elaborate more on this,” he said, declining to comment further.

UKZN-based Dr Gugu Mazibuko, an expert on Zulu cultural issues, said it was the first time she had heard of giraffes being donated for a funeral.

“I heard they were donated just to add to whatever would be prepared for the people who were coming to the funeral, and assisting the family,” she said.

The choice of species might have had symbolic significance, she said.

“This was a man of great stature, they wouldn’t have donated small animals only. The two giraffes were likely to signify his greatness and power. It could signify that a great man has fallen.”