Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) President Velenkosini Hlabisa says the 50th celebration of the party marks a great legacy and is testimony to its perseverance and integrity.
Hlabisa was delivering the keynote address at the party’s 50th-anniversary celebrations in Ulundi to thousands of IFP supporters.
He says when other political parties were silenced and forced into exile by the apartheid regime, the IFP became the lone voice that demanded the release of Nelson Mandela and the unbanning of all parties.
Hlabisa explains that the government at the time could not ban the IFP because it had been founded as a national cultural liberation movement.
Hlabisa has also led tributes to the party’s founder Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi. Reflecting on the party’s 50 years in politics, Hlabisa called it a journey of good and difficult times.
“Today, as we celebrate milestones, we pay tribute to our fallen heroes and heroines. We have been in these party times we also remember the reason we started, the purpose for which we have persevered for 50 years and it has been significant Okay I’ll continue to present on the political landscape. The IFP platform of empowering communities through self-health and self-reliance and Ubuntu.”
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Golden jubilee
Inkatha Freedom Party celebrates its golden jubilee under the theme of resilience, service and integrity.
Formed in 1975 by its founding President, the late Inkosi Mangosuthu Buthelezi, the IFP was established as a cultural liberation movement during the banning of the ANC.
Over the past 50 years, the party has grown in leaps and bounds. Its current membership stands at over one million.
The party, despite some setbacks in the past including what it called the vilification of its founding leader Inkosi Buthelezi during his years at the helm, has made its mark in the South African political landscape.
It’s currently the fifth-largest party in the country…and the second-biggest in KwaZulu-Natal where it also leads the Government of Provincial Unity.
Party faithful gathered to celebrate its successes and chart the way forward.
Supporters say the party remains relevant.
The passing of Inkosi Buthelezi brought into question its future and whether the party could continue to exist. This is after he led the party for well over 40 years.
Party leader Velenkosinsi Hlabisa took over the reins in 2019.
