There has been widespread media comment pertaining to my continued leadership of the Inkatha Freedom Party in the aftermath of the Local Government Elections.

In normal circumstances, I would not pay any attention to such speculation. One would usually view this as part of the grist of the rough and tumble of robust democratic politics and debate.

But in order to give expression to this debate, I have decided to call a one day National Conference to allow for members to express their views on this matter and other matters pertaining to the election.

The date of the Conference is set for the 8th of April 2006.

I am calling an early special conference to resolve the leadership question in a democratic fashion so that our annual Party Conference in July will be able to focus solely on mapping the way forwards towards an IFP victory in the 2009 General Election.