The IFP said today that the ANC's 2004 Election manifesto is "remarkably content free and characterised by timidity." Musa Zondi, the IFP National Spokesperson, said that the manifesto lacked a "big idea" and "lacked clear proposals to deal with the key issues facing the nation: HIV/Aids, job creation and economic growth and crime and corruption."

Musa Zondi drew attention to:

HIV/Aids

"The most glaring omission is the lack of a comprehensive plan (though alluded to) to eradicate HIV/Aids and that the pandemic is not designated as the national emergency that it is. One cannot help notice that the disease is designated as "HIV and Aids" and is included in a generic list of diseases."

Economic growth and job creation

"The manifesto boasts that the economy has grown by 2.8% over the economic period since 1994. Yet, if South Africa is to make a meaningful impact upon poverty, our growth rate needs to be at least double that. Developing countries such as the "Asian Tigers", India and Malaysia have achieved accelerated economic growth."

"Nor are there any proposals on how the ANC would further liberalise the economy, slash red tape, make the economy more competitive in the global economy, and attract foreign direct investment."

Crime

"On the issue of crime, while the IFP welcomes the manifesto commitment to deploy 150, 000 police in active duty, until police services are decentralised to the provincial level we will not turn the tide against crime."

Musa Zondi said that the ANC promised a "people's contract" but have delivered a document that is "big on spin, small on delivery."