Born to a position as heir to a chieftainship and to the hereditary premiership of the Zulu people, Buthelezi began his career within the tribal confines of the Buthelezi and Usuthu tribes of Zululand. Here he learnt the Zulu traditions of tribal and national government while, at the same time, he was introduced to the complexities of South African politics through his close links with leaders of the African nationalist movements.

Born to a position as heir to a chieftainship and to the hereditary premiership of the Zulu people, Buthelezi began his career within the tribal confines of the Buthelezi and Usuthu tribes of Zululand. Here he learnt the Zulu traditions of tribal and national government while, at the same time, he was introduced to the complexities of South African politics through his close links with leaders of the African nationalist movements.