The traditional leader of uMnini Traditional Authority, Inkosi Phathisizwe Luthuli, who died on Monday following a short illness. Inkosi Phathisizwe had led the traditional authority for 38 years. The KwaZulu-Natal Cogta MEC has sent senior officials to help the family with his interment.
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KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta), Thulasizwe Buthelezi, has sent senior officials of the department to help the Luthuli family with preparations for the interment of Inkosi Phathisizwe Luthuli of the uMnini Traditional Authority who passed away on Monday.
Inkosi Luthuli, 63, collapsed at his home in uMgababa on Monday and was rushed to Kingsway Hospital, in Amanzimtoti, where he was declared deceased. The traditional leader was the head of the uMnini Traditional Authority under the eThekwini Metro on the South Coast.
"He is remembered as a consistent source of guidance, particularly for younger amakhosi, and for his steady involvement in community development. His commitment to strengthening governance was evident last month when he was among 47 amakhosi who completed the Leadership and Good Governance Programme at the University of KwaZulu-Natal," said Buthelezi.
The Cogta MEC extended his condolences to His Majesty King Misuzulu kaZwelithini, the Luthuli family, the uMnini Traditional Authority and the broader traditional leadership community.
Inkosi Luthuli survived a car crash three years ago when his bakkie overturned after he blacked out while driving on the N3. He was rushed to Busamed Hillcrest Hospital, where he received stitches to his head.
Last year, Inkosi Luthuli joined growing calls for the removal of undocumented foreign nationals in the area, whom he accused of stifling the economic emancipation of residents in uMgababa.
He said foreign nationals had monopolised the spaza shop sector, leaving the uMnini community unable to secure even a retail outlet with a national footprint.
Luthuli’s traditional authority land stretches from uMnini in uMgababa to the uMkhomazi River mouth.
The Luthuli family was moved from iSibubulungu in 1858 and settled in uMgababa on land allocated to them by the British Crown. Their removal under the traditional leadership of Inkosi Mnini Luthuli was to make way for the construction and expansion of the Durban Harbour in what is today known as the Bluff.
The Bluff later became the subject of a multimillion-rand land claim under the Land Restitution programme for families who were removed from iSibubulungu, many of whom were the Luthulis. Other families affected included the Makhanyas, Mkhizes, Celes and the Ngcobos.
The forced removals caused a severe survival crisis for many families who relied on fishing for sustenance, while others depended on collecting sea shells to make artistic ornaments for sale.