IFP INFORMATION CENTRE : JULY 23, 1998 

 At the IFP National Conference last weekend, Dr Buthelezi referred to a set of constitutional amendments that had been given to the Minister of Provincial Affairs and Constitutional Development, Mr Mohammed Valli Moosa.    IFP Constitutional Development spokesman, Peter Smith, is pleased to confirm that the President of the IFP says he has been assured by Minister Mohammed Valli Moosa that he will process the proposed IFP amendments to the Constitution and that the Government will give these serious consideration.

These constitutional amendments, inter alia, seek to strengthen provincial powers in order to induce provinces to develop their own policies and adopt legislation as opposed to being the mere implementers of central government mandates.    This would promote the transfer of administrative capacity from the central government to the provinces.

The IFP favours a justiciable divide between government and civil society, so as to ensure the pre-eminence of civil society over government. Civil society, including families, traditional communities, trade unions, universities and professional associations should be empowered to exercise individual autonomy and to regulate their own interests whenever there is no compelling reason for the government to interfere.

Protection for traditional leadership is also raised. The IFP strongly believes in the recognition of the autonomy of traditional communities, and the safeguarding of traditional leadership within the overall system of pluralism.

These policy considerations are the motivating influence supporting the IFP’s proposed amendments to the Constitution.