Writing in his weekly newsletter, Buthelezi said that as the most highly contested and volative election campaign since 1994 gathered pace, one could not overemphasise the importance of political tolerance.

A pluralist democracy, by definition, required tolerance.

"Political tolerance, as I understand it, is the willingness to extend basic rights and civil liberties to persons and organisations whose viewpoints differ from one's own," he said.

It was a central tenet of a liberal democracy. The individual rights and freedoms cherished in the new South Africa encouraged a wide array of ideas and beliefs, some of which not all could identify with.

"The expression of those beliefs is protected by another core democratic principle — that of majority rule with respect for the rights of individuals or groups in the minority.

"Without safeguards for the free expression of divergent opinions, we risk a tyranny of the majority.

"In a free and open society, by contrast, unhindered public debate exposes non-conformist ideas instead of suppressing them," Buthelezi said.

The main challenge of making political tolerance a viable reality in a democratic society was an ability on the part of politicians to establish and nurture explicit connections between abstract civil liberties and concrete situations.

Taking a tolerant stance was one of the more difficult tasks citizens faced in a society.

"We are probably not born tolerant, but must learn to be tolerant. As public representatives, politicians are expected - and quite rightly so — to lead by example."

Buthelezi expressed concern about allegations of ferrying people from outside of KwaZulu-Natal to register for the forthcoming election.

"This is tantamount to electoral gerrymandering."

The upcoming 22 April election was an opportunity for SA's democratic system to regain equilibrium.

However, this could only happen if the election was free and fair.

"I, once again, commit the party I lead, the Inkatha Freedom Party, to ensuring that we adhere to the highest standards of fair play.

"I appeal to all other party leaders to do the same," Buthelezi said.

Sapa