Johnathan Paoli
THE Inkhatha Freedom Party (IFP) concluded its two-day policy conference on Wednesday in Empangeni, northern KwaZulu-Natal – first national policy conference in 15 years, with inputs from various stakeholders under the Kungawe Initiative, a consultative campaign.
The policy document that will be drawn from the conference is expected to become an anchor for the IFP’s manifesto that the party anticipates to launch in March next year.
IFP spokesperson Mkhuleko Hlengwa said that through this conference, the party would be able to give South Africans hope and confidence in the future where a comprehensive policy alternative was available.
“What we want to achieve is ensuring that the alternative we want to present to the electorate will manifest — because we either continue in the current trajectory of ANC failures or we steer the country towards a new direction of social and economic justice, economic growth and development, jobs,” Hlengwa said.
Policy discussions were clustered into seven categories including economic, social and justice.
President Velenkosini Hlabisa delivered the opening remarks, urging the party to make presentations which would respond to daily issues and said that former president Mangosuthu Buthelezi left an unshakable foundation in the form of the party.
“The policies we present to the electorate in 2024 must be responsive to the immediate needs of the people, while building for the long-term future of South Africa,” said Hlabisa.
During his keynote address on Tuesday, Hlabisa said that the importance of coalitions could not be stressed enough, citing links to the Multi-Party Charter, despite the fact that some leaders and party officials, especially the party’s youth brigade, were not in favour of this decision.
“The IFP is no stranger to coalitions. We have worked with other parties for decades, seeking common goals. Prince Buthelezi himself taught us to always engage across political boundaries, to build bridges and to find common ground,” Hlabisa said.
INSIDE POLITICS
