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IFP CHALLENGES FINANCE MINISTER, MR TREVOR MANUEL, TO A DEBATE ON THE
ECONOMIC CONSEQUENCES OF A ONE-PARTY STATE IN SOUTH AFRICA
Durban: 19 January 2004
The IFP was astounded to learn, in numerous press reports published today,
that Finance Minister, Mr Trevor Manuel, believes that only a one-party State in South Africa can deliver economic progress and prosperity. The IFP
challenges Mr Manuel to a public debate on this crucial issue.
As the country's slide into one-party rule is a key election "warning bell"
sounded by IFP President, Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi, at the launch of the
IFP's election manifesto on Sunday, the ANC's stated intention (reiterated
by Mr Manuel) cannot be ignored.
The IFP Finance Spokesperson, Mr Gavin Woods said:
"The IFP would like to hear from Mr Manuel precisely how a one-party State
in South Africa would encourage direct foreign investment. The IFP would like Minister Manuel to give the people of South Africa examples of where
else in the world one-party States have deepened and developed democracy and
have flourished economically.
"The IFP would like him to explain why, after 10 years, seven ANC-led Provinces in South Africa have clearly failed to implement the very same ANC
anti-poverty and job creation policies he now lauds and wishes to further inflict on the people of KwaZulu Natal and the Western Cape.
"Addressing an ANC election rally in the Western Cape on Sunday, Mr Manuel
vigorously supported "without any apologies" the views expressed by the ANC'
s national executive committee that the people of the Western Cape and KwaZulu Natal should fall under unfettered ANC rule.
"Perhaps Mr Manuel should reconsider this position and at least apologise to
the millions of South Africans who, for example, are hungry, unemployed, homeless and deprived of appropriate HIV/AIDS health care thanks to the very
same ANC political policies and programmes he eulogises.
"The IFP believes voters must be placed in a position where they can clearly
understand and debate the consequences of total ANC hegemony (and what is behind the ANC's intention to have total political control over South
Africa) before they cast their crucial votes in the forthcoming general election. This debate is crucial."
Contact:
Gavin Woods MP, 083 775-4447
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