Working closely with Mr Mbeki, he helped to bring peace to that troubled province last year through a series of secret meetings with the Zulu-based InkathaFreedomParty.
Likewise, the Zulu-based InkathaFreedomParty, which got less than 5% and 18 seats in 2009, recently postponed a conference as officials loyal to Mangosuthu Buthelezi, its veteran leader, sought to quash his deputy's bid for the crown.