Buthelezi a foremost leader of SA's 'transition to democracy' - DA.

IFP leader Mangosuthu Buthelezi in Umlazi. 

(Amanda Khoza, News24)

Durban – DA leader Mmusi Maimane has praised Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) leader Mangosuthu Buthelezi, saying he helped usher in South Africa's smooth transition to democracy.

"As one of the foremost leaders in our nation's transition to democracy, he played a key role in creating a framework for a negotiated solution to the racial conflict in South Africa," Maimane said on Monday.

Maimane said Buthelezi played a key role in SA’s political history – in particular the role he played in KwaZulu-Natal in the early 1990s.

"We are appreciative for the 1994 decision Buthelezi took to participate in the first democratic South African elections after he initially refused. His decision meant that South Africa would have its first democratic election, which was held on April 27, 1994."

Kaveel Singh.

Full story at News24.