While Jacob Zuma’s recently launched MK Party has drawn a lot of airtime, at the coalface the IFP is confident of continuing a resurgence reflected in its 15-1 winning record against the ANC in post November 2021 by-elections. Leader Velenkosini Hlabisa says another pointer to a superior performance in Election’24 is comparing crowds drawn in election launches at Durban’s Moses Mabhida stadium where his party “took the trophy” with a significantly larger turnout than the other parties. Having planned thoroughly for the 2024 election over many years, and for the first time running campaigns in all nine provinces, the IFP leader is sure that his party is will be the big surprise when the votes are counted. He spoke to BizNews editor Alec Hogg.
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Summary of the interview
BizNews editor Alec Hogg interviewed IFP leader Velenkosini Hlabisa about the party’s prospects and strategies ahead of the upcoming elections. Hlabisa emphasized that the IFP is in better shape than ever, despite polls suggesting otherwise. He highlighted the party’s strong ground campaign, which has included significant public events and door-to-door engagement. Hlabisa dismissed the impact of Jacob Zuma’s new MK party on IFP support, arguing that it would primarily affect the ANC. He noted that the IFP has been actively campaigning across all nine provinces, a first for the party, and remains confident of a strong showing on election day.
Hlabisa addressed the media’s historical bias against the IFP, stating that despite negative coverage, the party has consistently outperformed expectations. He reiterated the IFP’s commitment to addressing the needs of South Africans and criticized the ruling ANC for its failures over the past 30 years. Hlabisa also discussed the role of traditional leaders in KwaZulu-Natal, noting their neutrality in politics. He concluded with a call to voters to turn out in large numbers to bring about change, emphasizing the IFP’s readiness to serve the people with integrity and accountability.
Edited transcript of the interview ___STEADY_PAYWALL___
Alec Hogg (00:06.862)
What if the by-elections after the November 2021 local elections were anything to go by? The IFP was certainly on the rise, but Jacob Zuma has launched his MK party in the heartland of the IFP in KwaZulu-Natal. The polls seem to think it’s Zuma who’s going to be pulling the votes, not Hlabisa, Mr. Velenkosini Hlabisa, the leader of the IFP. Well, we’ll see whether that’s the case. Mr. Hlabisa is with us now.
VF Hlabisa (00:44.253)
Thank you.
Alec Hogg (00:44.846)
It was lovely seeing you in Hermanus in March this year, Mr. Hlabisa. At the time, we had seen that the MK party had arrived in KwaZulu-Natal. You’ve been gaining great momentum at the IFP, but the pollsters are saying you guys have gone backwards. They predict an even worse return than the last national election, worse than the 5.6% you had in 2021. What are the polls getting wrong? What are they getting right? What’s happening with the IFP?
VF Hlabisa (01:16.538)
The IFP, Alec, is in better shape than ever. The response we’re getting on the ground is very positive. Our election campaign this year is completely different from previous ones. Even our competitors admit they didn’t expect such a strong pushback from the IFP, given our history and tradition in elections.
You witnessed the launch at Moses Mabhida Stadium. First, the EFF thought they had it. Then the ANC said they were older than the EFF and advised the IFP to find another venue to avoid embarrassment. But everyone, even the ANC and EFF, admitted they didn’t see it coming when the IFP filled the stadium. People outside were more than those inside. This demonstrated the readiness of the IFP.
Since the launch, we’ve been on the ground daily, addressing large crowds in different areas. For the first time, I’ve been campaigning in all nine provinces, physically bringing people together. The real outcome is on the 29th of May. We are not worried about the polls because we don’t know where they are conducted. There is no indication anything is going wrong. We have a daily management committee monitoring our campaign and the crowds we pull. Our meetings have never been a flop. People following me and the IFP’s page can see that the polls are getting it wrong. People will be surprised on the 29th of May because the IFP will turn the tables.
Alec Hogg (04:46.414)
It’s such an interesting election we’re going into now. How has your strategy fulfilled itself? In previous interviews, you explained in detail how the IFP has been on a renewal strategy moving towards 2029. But going into 2024, are you finding that your strategy is ahead of where you thought it would be, or are you struggling with the emergence of Jacob Zuma?
VF Hlabisa (05:28.246)
No, no, no. We are far ahead. On a daily basis, we are ticking the boxes. We have no regrets. Our campaign is different and more aggressive. We’re giving tough competition to the ruling party. We have four teams running parallel, focusing on different areas. We go big, we go small. We do door-to-door campaigns. We’re quite satisfied. We’re looking to the 29th of May as a day where the IFP will demonstrate that it is a party for the future. After this election, we will immediately start our local government election campaign for 2026 and continue working towards 2029.
We had enough money this time around. We got donations from people with good hearts. All political parties can see that the IFP has resources and we’re using them correctly to reach every electorate through various platforms, including social media. One of our videos from a cleaning spree in a Durban transit camp reached 2.7 million viewers. This shows the impact we are making.
Alec Hogg (08:49.198)
What about within the KZN provincial legislature? How do you see that panning out? It is a highly competitive and contested vote this time around.
VF Hlabisa (09:04.019)
Yes, I agree. There is high competition in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng. The ANC is going to lose KwaZulu-Natal because the MK is taking a significant portion of their support. MK is another faction of the ANC. No IFP member will vote for MK because they know MK is part of the ANC. The MK aims to fix the ANC led by Ramaphosa. So, it won’t affect us, but it will severely affect the ANC. I saw polls putting the MK at the top and the ANC at 11% in KwaZulu-Natal. I doubt that. The ANC can be pulled to 30%, but not 11%.
The ANC still shows its presence on the ground with door-to-door campaigns and public meetings. The crowds they pull are superior to MK’s. The IFP pulls massive crowds in every municipality, indicating a balanced presence throughout the province. The ANC is doing its best, but the latest polls putting them at 11% seem unrealistic.
Alec Hogg (12:05.038)
You were winning quite handily a number of by-elections since November 2021, head to head with the ANC. Does this give you any insight into your chances against the combination of the ANC and MK?
VF Hlabisa (12:30.126)
Having said that MK is a faction of the ANC, there is no prospect of them working together in a coalition. It would be a disaster. The ANC can try other partners, but I don’t see who would want to join them. The best thing for the ANC is to be taken out of power. The IFP is working hard to achieve our target number of votes to get 41 seats, which is 50% plus one. If we fail, we are prepared to lead a coalition with members of the multi-party charter, including DA, Freedom Front Plus, Action SA, ACDP, and some independents. We can form the government without the ANC. I don’t foresee the ANC retaining the province.
Alec Hogg (14:22.734)
You mentioned the Moses Mabhida Stadium launch. That doesn’t seem to have registered with many people how large the IFP turnout was. Why would that be? Why would there be so much hype for your competitors and not for you?
VF Hlabisa (15:04.46)
Alec, the IFP has never been a favourite of the media or the polls for years. The media predicted our end many times, but we disappointed them in 2016 and 2021. From 2021, we took 15 wards from the ANC in by-elections. The evidence is clear. On one day, we took three wards from the ANC in one municipality. If a party loses three wards it controls, it means it’s in trouble.
The media can ignore such facts, but it won’t help them. Whatever they say, the IFP has shown its strength. I’m sure you saw the visuals at Moses Mabhida Stadium. Everyone agrees that the IFP took the trophy for the best-organized event among the three major parties. The media’s ignoring of the IFP won’t change anything.
Alec Hogg (17:58.729)
Mr. Hlabisa, how is the support from the Indunas and the chiefs? We know there’s a strong traditional system in KZN. Are they, and in particular the King, supportive of the IFP or remaining neutral?
VF Hlabisa (19:45.894)
We do not encourage Amakhosi to participate in politics because they are above politics. The King is not participating in politics and we wouldn’t even allow it. He is a symbol of the nation and represents all people of the Zulu Kingdom from all political walks of life. The traditional institution should ensure a level playing field for all political parties. Some Amakhosi are openly in the IFP or ANC, but the majority are neutral, including the King, which we support.
Alec Hogg (21:30.83)
With a few days to go until the election on May 29th, how do you see the national picture shaping up for the IFP?
VF Hlabisa (21:59.202)
We are looking forward to a new government in KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng, Free State, and at the national level. People want change. They can’t imagine another five years under the ruling party. The feeling now is similar to 1994 when people wanted to remove the apartheid government. The ruling party has failed in employment, crime, load shedding, and corruption.
I am confident the 27.6 million South Africans who are registered voters will vote for change. They must take their protest to the ballot box and use their right to vote to give a red card to the ruling party and vote in a new government. The IFP is ready to serve the people of South Africa with commitment and integrity. Dormant voters should understand that not voting means keeping the government they don’t want. They must vote to bring in a new government and hold it accountable. If it doesn’t deliver, they can remove it in 2029. The IFP is ready to bring the desired change.
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