Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Lukef
Published on 2024-03-10 15:05:03
The Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) recently showcased its strength in Durban by filling the Moses Mabhida stadium for its manifesto launch ahead of the national and provincial elections on 29 May. The stadium, which has previously hosted the manifesto launches of the Economic Freedom Fighters and the ANC, was packed by midday, with supporters moving onto the field to avoid the sun as the event progressed.
IFP president Velenkosni Hlabisa used the platform to call for a change in South Africa’s leadership, emphasizing the need to give the party control of KwaZulu-Natal once again. He highlighted the challenges facing the country, including poor governance, weak leadership, and corruption, stating that South Africa is on the brink of collapse.
Hlabisa positioned the IFP as a “government in waiting” with a proven track record of service delivery and integrity. He emphasized the party’s experience in governing and its ability to administer governance in the interests of the people. The party aims to bring back development and prosperity to KwaZulu-Natal, drawing on its history of effective governance in the province.
While Hlabisa leads the IFP as president, the party’s campaign will feature its founding president, the late Mangosuthu Buthelezi, as the face of the campaign under the theme #doitforShenge. Buthelezi’s image will also be on the ballot paper, leveraging his legacy and the goodwill generated by his passing to unite the party’s current leaders and supporters ahead of the elections.
The IFP has outlined a 13-point program of actions it plans to implement if it and its allies manage to dislodge the ANC and form a coalition government. These actions include addressing key issues such as load shedding, illegal migration, healthcare, education, job creation, and crime.
On the economic front, the IFP aims to promote local employment by imposing employment targets across industries, reserving certain sectors for South Africans, and supporting small and medium-sized businesses. The party also plans to invest in the industrial cannabis and hemp industries to stimulate economic development in rural areas.
In terms of crime and security, the IFP proposes to improve police funding, training, and numbers while cracking down on police corruption. The party also plans to enhance the capabilities of the South African National Defence Force, deploy troops for border control, and improve technology for immigration control.
Other key initiatives include ending load shedding through partial privatization of Eskom, promoting renewable energy sources, implementing housing schemes for low-income families, conducting a land ownership audit, and empowering traditional leaders in rural development.
Overall, the IFP’s manifesto launch demonstrated its commitment to addressing a wide range of issues affecting South Africa and its vision for a more efficient, transparent, and responsive government. The party’s focus on service delivery, integrity, and experience in governance positions it as a viable alternative for voters seeking change in the upcoming elections.
Read the original article on Mail & Guardian
