WORLD : Zulu Rebuffs Mandela Overture
Conservative Zulu leader Mangosuthu Gatsha Buthelezi has refused to meet Nelson Mandela to discuss ways to end savage factional fighting that has claimed hundreds of lives, officials said today.
The African National Congress said Buthelezi, leader of the Inkatha Party, declined an invitation to attend a meeting Friday of black homeland leaders at Mandela’s home in Soweto outside Johannesburg.
“The ANC would have preferred if Mr. Buthelezi would have attended the consultative meeting on Friday,” said ANC spokesman Abba Omar.
ANC officials said they hoped Buthelezi’s refusal to attend the meeting would not derail efforts to end fighting between the two groups.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
