IFP delivers party’s manifesto ahead of elections

MOSES Mabhida Stadium was all white as members and followers of the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) came in their numbers to hear the party’s manifesto ahead of the elections. The IFP is the last of the major parties to deliver their manifesto since the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and African National Congress (ANC) had already launched their manifestos.

On March 10, the president of the IFP, Velenkosini Hlabisa, delivered their 13-point manifesto to a beyond-capacity crowd, which had left many with anticipation as to whether the IFP could fill the enormous Moses Mabhida Stadium. “With this manifesto, we want to reassure you that we are a party you can trust, a party that puts the needs of ordinary South Africans first. As we head to the National Elections, we want you to know where you stand within our party,” said Hlabisa.

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The IFP, which will celebrate 50 years since it was founded by the late Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi, said these elections are like those of the first democratic elections of 1994. “With this election, we will reclaim our power and exercise our rights as the people of South Africa to remove the power that no longer serves us,” added Hlabisa.

The 13-point plan started with the nationwide crisis of load-shedding, and then he mentioned many other national issues, such as the lack of employment, access to land, the social grant and how the party plans to establish a social grant programme for unemployed graduates to be able to sustain themselves until they find employment.

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The party’s manifesto says it wants to put the country’s safety at the forefront by dealing with the issue of illegal immigrants who are living in the country without legal documentation. The manifesto also touched on the state of the healthcare system in the country, saying that “The IFP will improve the country’s healthcare system by putting the elderly and vulnerable children first, by increasing old age and child grants while also expanding the food voucher system for indigent households,” said Hlabisa.

This manifesto of the IFP was the first without the presence of its founder, Prince Mangosuthu, and many people were heard echoing, “Asenzela uShenge”, which translates to ‘Let’s do it for Shenge’.

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