19.10.2025
Latest

Hlabisa pushes pro-South African jobs plan at IFP jubilee

7 mins



  • IFP leader Velenkosini Hlabisa

Inkatha Freedom Party President, Velenkosini Hlabisa has urged South Africans to make the right choice for their future at next year’s local government elections. Hlabisa was the keynote speaker at the 50th Anniversary held at the Jabulani Aphitheatre in Soweto, on Saturday.

The event was the second installment of the party’s Jubilee celebrations, with the main celebration having taken place in Ulundi, Kwazulu- Natal in March, this year. Held under the theme: “Celebrate 50 Years of Resilience, Service, and Integrity”, it reflected on the journey travelled, its current status within the Government of National Unity (GNU) and the future fortunes of the party.

RELATED VIDEO | IFP celebrates 50th anniversary

Hlabisa assured the hundreds of party faithfuls that the IFP was still very much alive and well.

“The IFP has demonstrated that over 50 years, it still remains relevant, it still remains the voice of the people. There is no political party that was founded and lived for 50 years in South Africa and still remains relevant. Yes, the African National Congress (ANC) has more than 100 years, but there was a period when they were not active within our country,” he says.

He took supporters through the party’s history, which began on the 21st of  March 1975 at KwaNzimela in Melmoth, KwaZulu-Natal. Behind what was then a cultural movement was founder Mangosuthu Buthelezi who over the next 40 years transformed the party into one of the country’s most influential political parties. Having taken the baton from Buthelezi, Hlabisa has called for a new struggle; prosperity for South Africa’s majority, starting with job reservation.

“The IFP is of the view that at least 80% of jobs in all companies must be reserved, ring-fenced and preserved for the people of South Africa. Our country’s future depends on the opportunity we create for our youth, for our women and for our small enterprise owners because only when South Africans prosper can our nation prosper,” says Hlabisa.

Hlabisa who is also Minister of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) has praised members of the contribution the party is making to the GNU.

“We are going to change the local government system that is dysfunctional and make it functional  because that is what we promised in our manifesto. Our deputy president the minister of public service and administration is leading the campaign to digitize and professionalize our public service. Our national spokesperson, who is the Deputy Minister of Transport is championing public transport reform,” he says.

Looking forward to next year’s local government, Hlabisa has urged citizens to carefully consider the performance of the party and its representatives at all levels of government and make the right choice.

“Whenever the IFP is in government, we ensure inclusion, we ensure participation, we ensure that your voices are heard. It is your right to influence policy to shape the future of your community. Our philosophy is rooted in the understanding that every community faces its own unique challenges,” he says.

The party is yet to hold its 36th elective conference which was scheduled to be held between July and August, this year. This follows the current leadership’s term of office having lapsed in August 2024 and the National Council extending it indefinitely.

VIDEO | IFP celebrates 50 years in Soweto

Related News