DURING THE CELEBRATION OF WORKERS’ DAY 2018
REMARKS BY
PRINCE MANGOSUTHU BUTHELEZI MP
PRESIDENT OF THE INKATHA FREEDOM PARTY
Umhlathuze: 1 May 2018
As we celebrate Workers’ Day today, our festivities are enhanced by the knowledge that the IFP is growing. Every day new members are signing up to join the party of integrity, as we work for the survival and development of South Africa. Today, it is my privilege to personally welcome members who have left their former party to make the IFP their political home. I want to congratulate you on making a good decision.
Today, you have joined a family. We welcome you as brothers and sisters in the revolution of goodwill. I encourage you to become deeply involved and to make your contribution through the IFP. We believe that every member has an important voice that adds to the strength of our Party. We believe in knitting people into the fabric of our work, so that everyone is able to participate, and feel a sense of ownership, in the success of the IFP.
It is good to know that you are already political activists. Your interest in politics is commendable, for it shows that you are not passive citizens, willing to accept whatever your leaders do. You have committed yourselves to making a difference, and to shaping the kind of leadership our communities and our country receives. Where you see a need for change, you have become part of making it happen.
You are exactly the kind of people our Party wants. We welcome active citizens who are willing to speak out when governance is not efficient, honest or transparent. We also welcome those who are willing to act decisively, exercising the right to change political parties and give their mandate to a different leadership. This is democracy in action.
I have no doubt that you have chosen the IFP based on our track record. Our legacy of leadership integrity and good governance tends to attract people who care about South Africa. The IFP is home to patriots and to those who prefer building, strengthening and empowering. Anyone who enjoys the politics of complaining, dividing and destruction is better off elsewhere. But for those who want to see our people prosper and our country thrive, the IFP is a natural political home.
I therefore welcome you as patriots and builders. You have made a good choice.
