Statement By
The Hon. Mr Velenkosini Hlabisa MP
President of the Inkatha Freedom Party
Durban: 29 January 2024
Ladies and gentlemen of the media, thank you for joining us this afternoon. The announcement to be made today is one that I know you have all been waiting for.
As the President of the IFP, and on behalf of the National Executive Committee and the IFP’s National Council, I have the privilege of officially announcing the IFP’s Premier candidate for KwaZulu-Natal for the 2024 National and Provincial Elections.
Our candidate has been nominated, and is unanimously backed, by the full National Council of the IFP. During a special meeting held yesterday in Empangeni, the National Council finalised the approval and ratification of our policies and plans for this election, ahead of an Extended National Council meeting, which was held yesterday afternoon.
Through the Extended National Council, we were able to filter our election strategy and programme to all the structures of the IFP, so that all our members and volunteers will be well-equipped to play their role in this campaign.
Following this weekend’s work, and the enormous body of preparation that came before it, I am pleased to say that the IFP is ready for the 2024 elections. Our campaign is well under way, our structures have been mobilised, and we have completed all the necessary processes. We stand ready for this election, and more than ready to receive the mandate of the electorate.
This week our focus will be on the Voter Registration Weekend, to mobilise as many South Africans as possible to register to vote. We believe in the democratic process and we understand that it can only work effectively if voters use that most powerful tool of democracy, and cast their ballot.
We will therefore continue the voter registration drive, as we have been doing, beyond this coming weekend. This is South Africa’s opportunity to secure a leadership of integrity. We will do everything in our power to get the message out that voting is the most important thing you can do this year.
In tandem with the voter registration drive, the IFP is working at maximum capacity to prepare for the launch of our election manifesto, which is taking place at the Moses Mabhida Stadium here in Durban on Sunday the 10th of March. Our policies are ready. Our manifesto is ready to go to print. We are moving forward with strength.
And we are pleased that South Africa will have the opportunity to hear the IFP’s solutions, after having to endure the rhetoric of our opponents in the weeks ahead.
The IFP’s campaign in KwaZulu-Natal is focussed on restoring an honest and working government in this Province. We therefore seek to give KwaZulu-Natal the best possible candidate to run for Premier. Our candidate is Mr Arthur Thamsanqa Ntuli. We believe that he is most equipped, experienced and committed for the task of good governance in KwaZulu-Natal.
I am pleased to announce that the IFP’s Provincial Chairperson has agreed to stand for election as the Premier of KwaZulu-Natal. He stands with the full support of the IFP and with the expressed support of millions of citizens of KwaZulu-Natal. We are confident in his capacity and his leadership, knowing that he will represent the IFP values in government.
KwaZulu-Natal deserves a fighting chance. This Province was once at the forefront of development, education, industry, commerce, agriculture and entrepreneurship. It has endured twenty years of decline under a government that is riddled with corruption. Now is the time for KwaZulu-Natal to be restored. It is time for the IFP to take the reins and to lead this Province back to glory.
With the stability of KwaZulu-Natal firmly on our agenda, the IFP welcomes the announcement made by His Majesty King Misuzulu kaZwelithini during yesterday’s commemoration of the Battle of Isandlwana. His Majesty has appointed the IFP’s Mayor of Zululand and member of the National Executive Committee, the Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi, as Undunankulu kaZulu, the new traditional Prime Minister to the Zulu Monarch and Nation.
The IFP welcomes this decision of His Majesty the King, cognisant of the great responsibility that now rests on the shoulders of the Reverend Buthelezi. The new Prime Minister will fill the role and take up the work of his predecessor, uMntwana waKwaPhindangene, His Excellency Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi, who served the Zulu nation for seventy years under three successive Kings.
We wish Undunankulu kaZulu strength, wisdom and courage as he continues the great legacy of those who came before.
We also congratulate Inkosi Phathisizwe Donatus Hastings Chiliza, former Chairperson of the National House of Traditional Leaders, on his appointment as Deputy Prime Minister of the AmaZulu Nation.
It is encouraging to note that Inkosi Chiliza worked closely with the late Prime Minister Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi on matters relating to His Majesty the King, and was present with Prince Buthelezi on 6 July 2018 when President Ramaphosa made his commitment to the late King Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu that the land held under the Ingonyama Trust would not be taken out of the hands of the people.
We trust that, under this new leadership, the land of the Zulu Kingdom will continue to be protected and championed as it was under the late Prince Buthelezi.
The IFP believes that KwaZulu-Natal is being positioned for positive change. We are at the forefront of all that is good about this Province. It is a privilege to offer our leadership.
Hand in hand with the people of KwaZulu-Natal, the IFP is ready to govern.
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