by Unathi Phika
Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi, the founder of the IFP, was able to maintain a “very strict” diet and survive to the ripe old age of 95, People who were close to him, including Buthelezi’s personal spokesman MP Liezl van der Merwe, told TimesLIVE that his aides and the kitchen staff who made his meals were aware of this.
The late Zulu kingdom’s prime minister liked to eat boiled chicken and fish, boiled eggs, green apples, water, biscuits, salad, veggies, and coleslaw. Most of his staff members were afraid to discuss Buthelezi’s eating habits in public Buthelezi, who passed away on September 9, was buried on Saturday in Ulundi, KwaZulu-Natal.
His diet was made public six years ago when information about a trip he took to the Gupta homestead in Saxonwold, Johannesburg, came to light. According to reports, Buthelezi insisted on a balanced dinner that included a Golden Delicious apple. Some information concerning his visit to the Guptas, during which he was joined by his son Zuzifa Buthelezi, is revealed in the Gupta email leak.It was reported at the time that the Gupta family had received Buthelezi’s food requirements from five VIP bodyguards previously.
Buthelezi would join the family for lunch the next day at 1pm, according to an email from Buthelezi’s secretary Lyndith Waller dated May 2, 2016 The prince has particular dietary needs because he suffers from diabetes. I have included details here. Please prepare enough steamed vegetables and salad if it is not possible to bring poultry or fish into your home. He can’t eat spicy cuisine, the email stated.
As potential alternatives for different meals, a list of “healthier” foods was offered. These featured Golden Delicious apples, rooibos tea, crackers with butter, almonds, cheese, and grilled fish or chicken.