The Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) president, Velenkosini Hlabisa, has called on party members to remain united as the party gears up for its National Elective Conference and the looming 2026 local government elections.
Hlabisa was addressing members at the Gauteng Extended Provincial Council at the Brixton multi-purpose centre in Johannesburg.
The said Council’s purpose was to address all structures on branch readiness for the party’s upcoming conference as well as the state of readiness ahead of the 2026 local polls.
Ahead of the IFP’s National Elective Conference and a clear opportunity to capture Johannesburg’s electorate in 2026, who lament the city’s current state of decay.
IFP members have been cautioned to tow the line and put the party first as the reasonable alternative for South Africans.
IFP leader Hlabisa says, “Let’s make unity a pillar in our journey. A united organisation is an organisation that is able to withstand any challenges in life, but a divided organisation falls or collapses very easily. So, my call to you as members of the IFP in Gauteng, as leaders of the IFP in Gauteng, let us stand united – not for the sake of the IFP alone, but for the sake of South Africa.”
A wave of discreet factionalism recently swept the party, with KZN Chairperson Thami Ntuli being fingered for a leadership role in the upcoming conference.
Ntuli withdrew from the leadership race last year, seemingly in a bid to push unity in the party, leaving Hlabisa as the only candidate set to run for leader of the IFP – a role he says he is available for.
“People of South Africa and members of the IFP have demonstrated many times, they are streetwise, they know what works for them. They have done a good analysis, and they are very clear about where they want the party to go and who can take the party to that next level. So, if they say Velenkosini, can you come and serve again? I will be at their pleasure,” Hlabisa expresses.
The party says its next task will be to secure a victory in the 2026 local government elections where metros – which have been run by unstable coalition governments – are up for grabs.
The party intends to use its golden jubilee (50th anniversary) as a launchpad to bring this vision to reality.
“When we celebrate the 50th, we will be rolling out a massive and an aggressive campaign for 2026 and 2029. In Gauteng, we want more MMC’s at a platform where decisions are made, we want more councillors in out various councils in gauteng so that they express the views of the people of gauteng at a local government level. A victory in 2026 begins now,” stresses IFP leader.
Johannesburg’s poor housing
Hlabisa has also called on the MMC for Human Settlements in the City of Johannesburg, Mlungisi Mabaso, to address appalling housing conditions.
The focus will be on hostels and the illegal occupation of buildings.
Hlabisa has urged supporters to hold the party accountable.
The IFP is driving the campaign for the spaza shops and all other small food-handling outlets to be completely under the control of the people of South Africa.
The IFP leader says that the party will also work hard in growing the economy of the economic hub of Gauteng and the country. He has warned that Gauteng and the City of Johannesburg are increasingly becoming crime scenes.
Hlabisa was delivering a keynote address at the IFP’s Gauteng Extended Provincial Council meeting in Johanneburg.
