I am delighted to be here today to extend my party's warmest welcome to the scores of our new members in the Eastern Cape. I would like to assure you that you have made the right choice to find a new political home before the upcoming general election that is sure to determine the future character of South Africa, either as a stale one-party state or - with your help at the ballot box - as a vibrant multi-party democracy.

Democracy in South Africa, as things stand, is under threat. The ANC may have acquired its majority mandate by popular vote, but this is no excuse for its treating the opposition parties - even its own breakaway group - as traitors or spoilers, nor is it an invitation to cement its hold on power forever.

It has become fashionable in recent days to claim the heritage of the original ANC. The founding principles of 1912 as well as the 1955 Freedom Charter are in the news again as the ANC breakaway party claims to be the true follower of these noble initiatives. As the post-Polokwane ANC is drifting away from the principles that once guided it, we in the IFP are also obliged to relate our own commitment to these founding principles as well as our credentials in the political milieu that produced these principles.

After all, our leader Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi started off his political career in the ANC Youth League. More importantly, he has remained faithful to its objectives of peace and prosperity even as the ANC departed from them engaging in the armed struggle and in the

campaign for the international sanctions and disinvestment.   

The IFP is the only opposition party with a predominantly black support, with a proven track-record in government and, most importantly, with the long-term potential of governing the country. We represent the political centre ground, rejecting both centralised socialism of the ANC and uncaring 'anything goes' liberalism that is creating such havoc in the stock markets around the world. These extremes are out of tune with the majority of South Africans who are aspirational and socially conservative. We are the real alternative. We aspire to lead South Africa into a second wave of democratic renewal, deepening democracy and spreading prosperity among our people. Having attained liberal freedoms in 1994, South Africans are yet to be liberated economically.

In our service to the people, the IFP will stand by those affected by poverty, unemployment, abuse, crime, violence and other social ills and discrimination. South Africa has an enormous number of people who, left to the exigencies of the market or a minimalist state, would suffer even more severe deprivations than those which fate has bestowed upon them.  The IFP will not stand aloof as our people suffer, but will work with them, as an expression of compassion and fraternity in providing assistance.

We seek a South Africa in which the potential of every person to a dignified life can be realised within a democratic environment. Internally, we believe everyone has the right to participate in party affairs and to advance themselves so long as their activities are premised on integrity. Everyone within the party has the right to speak and to be heard, to be treated with dignity, and to stand for any office. We embrace internal democracy, transparency and accountability.

On the national stage, we stand for a constitutional state in which individual rights are protected against intrusive government, in which the poor and vulnerable are assisted, and in which the autonomy of civil society is not infringed upon.  At the same time, we embrace our differences and reject the notion that we are all the same. We are equal under the law, of course, but South Africa is nonetheless made up of many different cultures, groups, races, religions, communities and peoples. None of these is more important than any other, though we do embrace Christian and other faith-based values.

The IFP welcomes all into our fold - like we have just welcomed you. We are inclusive, we promote multiculturalism and we encourage the sharing of power among our constituents. The IFP is a home for all South Africans subscribing to our values and policies. Everyone is welcome to join with us in our great quest to make South Africa a better country.

Our idea of a better South Africa is a just, prosperous and moral society whose citizens have reconciled their past differences and engage with each other on the basis of ubuntu. A just society is one which is fair, which has successfully addressed the challenges of our past and, unfortunately, even the present - limited access to basic services, to sustainable jobs, to quality education, to adequate healthcare, and to security.

It also results in freedom and equality for all before the law, irrespective of who you are and where you come from. A prosperous society is one in which mass poverty has been eradicated and in which our people are able to pursue a better life. It is a society where everyone is able to develop to his or her fullest human potential. A prosperous society provides opportunity for all. It also generates high quality services and contributes towards stability and unity.

A moral society is one governed by timeless moral precepts of good, unlike the socio-political climate in South Africa today which comes close to being characterised by fear, violence, crime, greed and corruption. We believe in a society based on strong family and strong community. There is a contrast between some amoral leaders and elites and the essential goodness of most South Africans - we believe everyone has a role to play in making South Africa a better place.

A society underpinned by the spirit of ubuntu must necessarily promote justice and prosperity and morality for all. We believe such a society is a distinct possibility, and is not merely a dream. We believe our values of solidarity, freedom and unity, and our principles and policies coupled with bold leadership and political courage, can achieve this vision.

None of this will, however, matter unless we win political power and with it a mandate to put our ideas into practice. In order to do that, we will need your support. By joining the IFP, you have taken the first step towards realising our beliefs and potential. My appeal to you now is to spread our message in your families, in your workplaces and in your communities.

Our electoral success will now also depend on your marketing of your new party to its potential voters around you. On a related note, I urge you to register to vote in the upcoming election or, if you have registered and voted before, check your registration status with the IEC. This is quite a long to-do list but I can assure you the outcome will be worth your effort. Together, we can fix what is broken about the way we are governed today.

I thank you.

Contact: Cllr Zanele kaMagwaza-Msibi, 082 804 7993