Letter to the Editor
The Business Day
Via email: [email protected]; [email protected]
Dear Sir:
I have taken note of Edward West’s article titled “Buthelezi opens up to the idea of a Deputy” in which various analysts pontificate about the future of the IFP and the possible creation of a Deputy President position (Business Day: 24 October 2011). It warrants a response.
KZN political analyst Zakhele Ndlovu claims that the “IFP has lost a great deal of support to the new National Freedom Party”. This is utter nonsense. I am on record as saying that a recent audit of IFP branches has revealed that only a few branches have been affected by the formation of the NFP. The majority of our branches are in good standing. Moreover, we have seen NFP members rejoining the IFP in large numbers.
However, continuing with the propaganda, political analyst Protas Madlala then misses the mark when he talks about the possibility of the creation of a Deputy President position, when he states that Rev Musa Zondi is “a likely candidate” because he is IFP President Mangosuthu Buthelezi’s “blue-eyed boy” and that I am unlikely to get the job because I have “lost support” in my constituency. This too is utter hogwash.
The facts speak to the contrary. I did not stand as a candidate during the 2011 Local Government Elections, so how is my support or alleged lack thereof measured? What was the barometer used by Mr Madlala? I am not a Councillor. I have never stood as a Councillor in Nongoma, his assertion therefore is nothing but hot air.
Moreover, I have, just like Rev Zondi, on countless occasions publicly declared myself unavailable for any other position in the IFP apart from the one I currently hold. I serve in my position as the National Organiser at the behest of the rank and file of ordinary members of the Party, and I believe I serve this position to the best of my abilities.
It is also against this background that it is inexplicable that Madlala would refer to Rev Zondi as the “blue-eyed boy” when Prince Buthelezi has always referred to many leaders amongst us as his protégés, whom he has groomed and imparted his exceptional leadership skills and wisdom upon.
This article sadly, is yet another classic example of an article based on half-truths, fabrications and distortions about the IFP. I expected much more from those who call themselves so-called political analysts.
ALBERT MNCWANGO MP
IFP NATIONAL ORGANISER
