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IFP Secretary-General, Rev Musa Zondi, today expressed the IFP's sadness at
the passing of Party stalwart Inkosi Nyanga Ngubane in the early hours of
this morning, 11 January 2010.

Rev Zondi said, "It is with extreme sadness that the IFP has received the
news of the passing away of Inkosi Nyanga James Ngubane at the age of 65 at
about 3am this morning, 11 January 2010, at St Anne's Hospital in
Pietermaritzburg where he had been admitted since the middle of last week
after he suddenly collapsed shortly after the New Year."

Rev Zondi continued, "Early last Thursday morning, 7 January 2010, we
received a telephone call from Inkosi's eldest son, Mr Fakazi Ngubane,
informing us of the admission of his father to hospital after his health had
suddenly deteriorated. He informed us that Inkosi's doctors had informed
them as the family that Inkosi had lapsed into a coma and that his condition
was extremely serious."

"We were shocked because even though we knew that Inkosi's health had not
been at its best, particularly because since about late September Inkosi
could no longer attend meetings of the National Executive Committee and of
the National Council because of ill health, it had not occurred to us that
his illness would be fatal," Rev Zondi added.

"Inkosi spent the best part of October to December receiving medical
treatment for renal failure at St Anne's Hospital but by Christmas and New
Year Inkosi Ngubane had been released from hospital and was together with
his family and even performed some duties of his clan and this gave us hope
that Inkosi Ngubane was on the road to recovery."

"Inkosi will be sorely missed by the entire family of the IFP and
particularly by His Excellency Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi, the President of
the IFP, with whom he worked very closely since the days of the erstwhile
KwaZulu Government. Our condolences therefore go out to Inkosi's family, to
Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi and Amakhosi and the KwaZashuke clan," Rev Zondi
said.

Rev Zondi continued, "Inkosi Nyanga James Ngubane was born on 18 October
1944 and completed secondary school before starting as a labourer at
Spoornet. Inkosi Ngubane was recruited through TEBA in JHB, trained as a
nurse and then worked at a mine hospital."

"Inkosi Ngubane's father passed away in 1947 and acting Amakhosi took
leadership of the KwaZashuke clan until Inkosi Nyanga Ngubane was ready to
be installed in 1971. Inkosi Ngubane became Chairperson of the
KwaHlanganani Regional Authority and was shortly thereafter nominated as its
representative in the KwaZulu Legislative Assembly."

"His outstanding leadership qualities led to him being appointed by the then
Chief Minister of KwaZulu, Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi, as Deputy Minister
of Health in the erstwhile KwaZulu Government. Inkosi Ngubane also served
in Deputy Minister positions in Correctional Services and Works and he was
later also appointed as a full Minister without Portfolio in the same
government."

"When the new political dispensation began in 1994, Inkosi Ngubane became
one of the first members of the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature representing the
IFP. Once again his outstanding leadership qualities caused him to be
appointed by the first KwaZulu-Natal Premier, Dr FT Mdlalose, as Minister of
Traditional and Environmental Affairs. In 1997 the Portfolio of Safety and
Security was added to his other ministerial responsibilities and Inkosi
Ngubane held the three portfolios until the 2004 elections."

"After the 2004 elections the then KwaZulu-Natal Premier Sbu Ndebele
appointed Inkosi Ngubane as Minister of Social Welfare and Population
Development until 2006 when the ANC ended the appointment of IFP members on
its KZN cabinet. Until his passing away Inkosi Ngubane was a senior active
member of the IFP."

"Inkosi Ngubane is survived by his wife, Indlunkulu Sannie (neé Thungwane)
Ngubane, five sons and two daughters and eleven grandchildren," Rev Zondi
said.

Rev Zondi announced that, "The memorial service in honour of the late Inkosi
Nyanga James Ngubane will be held on Thursday, 14 January 2010, at 14h00 at
Pietermaritzburg City Hall. Inkosi Ngubane's funeral service will take
place at kwaZashuke Traditional Court on Saturday, 16 January 2010, starting
at 09h00."