Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) President Velenkosini Hlabisa has on Wednesday announced that the party will be forming Government of National Unity with the African National Congress (ANC), the Democratic Alliance (DA) at a national level for what he said was for the sake of the country.
This follows the party’s national council extensive engagement with the ANC and the DA.
Recently, the ANC decided to form a GNU in South Africa after a complex election where no single party achieved a clear majority.
Hlabisa said the KZN provincial talks continued to be a work in progress.
“On the MK question and the subsequent letter which has been circulating in the public domain, we can confirm that we have received the letter and we agreed to meet with them. However, the MK leadership failed to honour a prearranged meeting. Our delegation waited for some time, however when they failed to arrive, the meeting was cancelled, ” said Hlabisa.
He added that there has been renewed attempts by MK to reach out to the IFP.
The party also announced that talks are also still underway with regards to a coalition Government in Gauteng but Hlabisa has confirmed the IFP’s willingness to join that government of Provincial Unity.
On the party’s agreement on the GNU, Hlabisa said it should be recalled that the IFP has been in the GNU arrangement in the past. It was in such a government in 1994 to 1999 and with the ANC in 1999 to 2004.
In addition, Hlabisa highlighted that in reality, the only options are to become part of government or part of the opposition.
He said the the mandate the party received from the electorate is for the IFP to contribute to the effective governance of South Africa.
“We recognise the responsibility this bestows on us to participate in Government, based on the will of the electorate. We will participate in the Government of National Unity for the sake of our country and for the sake of our people, who want life to continue with a stable Government that will address their challenges. This is the sole reason why the IFP supports the idea of the formation of the GNU and why we will join the GNU. We welcome the opportunity to bring the IFP’s principled leadership and integrity into the governance of our country, ” explained Hlabisa.
The announcement followed the news of the ANC’s announcement that the eThekwini Mayor Mxolisi Kaunda has been recalled and redeployed at the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) in Cape Town.
The DA and the IFP in the province have expressed concerns on Kaunda’s leadership but Hlabisa said the decision taken by the ANC had nothing to do with the IFP’s negotiations.
Parliament is expected to sit on Friday to appoint the Speaker, Deputy Speaker and the President for the seventh administration.