Former Premier Dr Zweli Mkhize has paid tribute to the late journalist Khaba Mkhize, who played a crucial role in facilitating peace talks between the IFP and ANC to end deadly black-on-black political violence in KwaZulu-Natal. This violence claimed many lives in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands and the province between the late 80s and early 90s. Zweli described Khaba as a renowned journalist and a well-trusted political activist who brought political foes together to iron out their differences.
Khaba Mkhize, the first black KwaZulu-Natal SABC regional manager, was a popular figure in the Midlands for co-founding the Pietermaritzburg-based English weekly newspaper Echo, the Witness supplement. He targeted black readers by covering matters of interest to them. Zweli said Khaba, who died on July 24, 2016, at the age of 70, was not a political party member but was instrumental in initiating talks between the fighting groups in the ANC and the IFP.
Zweli Mkhize revealed that when he returned from exile, he found Khaba-led peace talks already in motion. Khaba went to the community, pulled leaders together, and encouraged them to engage in dialogue. Zweli praised Khaba for fostering political tolerance by spreading the culture of ubuntu, which emphasizes the importance of humanity and community stability. He said Khaba was never afraid to challenge the apartheid regime by writing stories about activists targeted by the police special branch.
Zweli Mkhize was first introduced to Khaba when he was a young medical student at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. He would spend time with anti-apartheid radical and militant students of the Federal Theological Seminary of Southern Africa (Fedsem) in Imbali township, Pietermaritzburg, which Khaba used to write about. Zweli said Khaba often wrote about David Cecil Oxford Matiwane, an associate of Harry Gwala, who staged lone protests against the oppressive system in the Pietermaritzburg CBD.
Zweli Mkhize also highlighted Khaba's role in promoting traditional music and mentoring young artists. He worked behind the scenes to create a culture of understanding and tolerance among younger maskandi musicians. Khaba, who was also a playwright, directed the funeral of David Matiwane, an activist who died in 1982. Zweli praised Khaba for his seniority, respect, and experience, which spread news coverage to township communities and brought balanced reporting to stories that affected the majority of people in townships and villages.
Zweli Mkhize called on traditional media to adapt to the changing media landscape, embracing social media while maintaining the values of ubuntu, peace, and tolerance. He praised Khaba for his contributions to journalism, keeping the Pietermaritzburg and KZN community informed with accurate information. Khaba became the founding editor of the Echo in 1979 and later joined the SABC as the first black regional manager, taking a position historically reserved for white people.
Key points
- Khaba Mkhize played a crucial role in facilitating peace talks between the IFP and ANC to end deadly black-on-black political violence in KwaZulu-Natal.
- Zweli Mkhize praised Khaba for fostering political tolerance by spreading the culture of ubuntu and promoting traditional music and mentoring young artists.
- Khaba Mkhize was a renowned journalist and a well-trusted political activist who brought political foes together to iron out their differences.
