IFP Welcomes 160 New Members from Other Political Parties in Umzumbe Under Ugu District

4 December 2023

On Sunday, 3 December 2023, the IFP welcomed 160 new members from other political parties, including the ANC and the ABC in uMzumbe, under uGu District. Among those who joined the IFP are Mr Bonga Nzuza, Mr Bhekani Nxumalo, Far Zwane and Hlengiwe Chiliza.

The addition of these new members is an important shift for KZN in particular, which is a province that will be hotly contested in the next National General Elections. It is often said that politics is a numbers game, and with new members joining the IFP on a daily basis, it is clear indication that the IFP is on the rise.

These new members have joined voluntarily because they have confidence in the IFP and regard it as the party that can improve their lives and provide hope for the future. Receiving these high calibre leaders from other political parties proves that the people of KwaZulu-Natal regard the IFP as the only party with a future.

The writing is on the wall that ANC fortunes in KwaZulu-Natal are flagging, due to failed promises and weak leadership. The ANC has reached its sell-by date and KwaZulu-Natal is in dire need of competent leadership. Evidence of these failures is demonstrated in the ANC-led municipalities, such eThekwini Metro, which has been placed under Section 154; Msunduzi Municipality which has been under Section 139 for many years; uGu District which has failed to address water challenges; Ray Nkonyeni Municipality, which has no Mayor; and Harry Gwala District where service delivery has ground to halt.

This sad state of affairs cannot continue. A change of government is of paramount importance. We call on all sectors in our society to work with the IFP as we embark on the journey of finding solutions for poverty, unemployment, inequality, and the many social ills that beset our communities.

The IFP’s message to the people of KwaZulu-Natal is one of hope.

More and more people are choosing the IFP as their political home because they know that the IFP can deliver corruption-free governance and grow the economy of the province. People do not join political parties on impulse, they look at a party's track record, its leadership and its potential to govern. In all of these aspects, the IFP has something to be proud of, and new members can hold their heads high and walk tall for having made the right choice by joining the IFP.

The IFP has a bright future. Our 10-point plan manifesto, which we rolled out for the 2021 Local Government Elections and that can change municipal governance throughout South Africa has yielded positive results and has resonated with communities. In addition, the IFP's no-nonsense approach towards fraud and corruption continues to gain momentum. This provides the clear sense that the IFP will rid government of the rotten potatoes - unlike the ANC, which is using the KZN Department of COGTA like an ANC branch.

The IFP calls upon all members to unite behind its leadership, as the IFP rebuilds ahead of the 2024 National General Elections. We cannot look away when the people of the province turn to the IFP to restore hope for the future.

Issued by Blessed Gwala, IFP National Chairperson and Leader of the Official Opposition in the KZN Legislature, 4 December 2023