Remarks By
The Hon. Mr Narend Singh MP
Chairperson Of The National Campaign Committee
King Zwelithini Stadium
Thank you for joining the IFP’s National Campaign Committee this morning. I am sure you are wondering why we have gathered in an empty stadium. I would like you to look around at these empty seats now, so that when you join us on Sunday the full impact of the IFP’s presence will be clear.
We will be filling this stadium on Sunday with patriots and friends of the IFP. Over the past few weeks, volunteers and leaders of our Party have been going door-to-door speaking to people about the coming election and the possibility of change. What we have heard from people in their homes and on the streets is one resounding message: change is coming.
The evidence of this has been seen in by-elections since 2011. The IFP has emerged again and again as a party on the rise, as members come back home after testing the waters of a failed coalition. We have welcomed thousands of returning members, and seen many new members coming from other parties as they seek a leadership they can trust.
This is what the IFP will offer on Sunday. As we will launch our election manifesto for 2016, the President of the IFP, Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi, will provide many good reasons to trust the IFP. Because we walk the talk, he will also present the pledge which every councillor candidate will sign, detailing our commitment to the people we serve.
This is about the whole of South Africa. We therefore invite every South African to watch live coverage of the IFP’s manifesto launch on SABC 2 and Channel 404 this Sunday. The live broadcast will begin at 12:00.
We would like you, however, to be here in person, to feel the wave of goodwill that fills this stadium. When the IFP gathers, it is different to a gathering of any other party. What you feel in the midst of an IFP rally is positive energy, the kind of energy we need to make a positive change in our communities.
This will be a welcome change from the protests and anger-driven rallies that are spreading throughout the country right now. Indeed, just yesterday we saw Durban CBD shut down for some 4 hours by an unprecedented protest over poor service delivery and the ANC’s candidate lists.
We cannot be held to ransom by failing leadership. As we go door-to-door the IFP is confronted by the very real hardship of people living under an ANC administration. In Cato Crest, a stone’s throw from Durban city centre, uncollected rubbish lies in heaps and sewerage flows in the streets. The rightful wrath of residents has been raised against the ANC-run eThekwini Municipality, which seems to be focussing on flagship projects rather than taking care of basic needs of those who have moved into the cities.
People are now remembering the track record of the IFP and calling on us to restore good governance. Throughout the IFP’s governance of KwaZulu Natal and many of its municipalities, there was never the kind of adverse finding that now characterises the Auditor General’s reports. We ran a clean, tight ship.
No wonder people are looking to come home to the IFP. On Sunday, we will welcome them, and give South Africa good reasons to vote IFP. I invite you to join us for this massive celebration of hope. It will be a welcome change.
I thank you.
