President of the Inkhatha Freedom Party, Mangosuthu Buthelezi was presented with a massage chair at his birthday celebrations near Ulundi on Saturday, the municipality said.

A thanksgiving service held for Buthelezi’s “long life” was held at Emandleni-Matleng near Ulundi said mayoral support dep uty director for the Zululand District Municipality Dumisani Ngcobo.

“The church presented Shenge with a massaging chair,”said Ngcobo.

Buthelezi said at the celebrations: “Whatever reason God has spared my life for so long, I am grateful…”.

Amongst the guests were his wife Princess Irene, Zulu Monarch — King Goodwill Zwelithini, members of Parliament, mayors from various district and local municipalities, councillors, priests, business people, as well as members of the community.

Buthelezi also thanked his late mother, Princess Constance Magogo Siibilile Mantithi Ngangezinye ka Dinuzulu who tried to “instil the God’s fear into his very being when he was still at a very young age”.