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CONSTITUTION OF THE INKATHA FREEDOM PARTY [As amended by the 2006 Annual
General Conference] TABLE OF CONTENTS PREAMBLE STATEMENT OF BELIEF CHAPTERS I THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE PARTY II MEMBERSHIP – DUTIES, OBLIGATIONS AND
RIGHTS III ORGANISATION OF THE PARTY AND POLICY
FORMULATION IV THE NATIONAL COUNCIL AND ITS FUNCTIONS V WOMEN’S AND YOUTH BRIGADES VI ORGANISATION OF THE PARTY AT PROVINCIAL,
DISTRICT AND LOWER LEVELS VII ANNUAL GENERAL CONFERENCE VIII FINANCIAL PROVISIONS IX MISCELLANEOUS X DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURE RULES CONSTITUTION OF INKATHA FREEDOM PARTY PREAMBLE 1. EMBRACING
the principles of African humanism otherwise known as uBuntu/Botho and accepting that governments are instituted and
maintained to promote and protect human dignity, personal growth and
fulfilment, and the individual pursuit of happiness; 2. INSPIRED
by a political and constitutional vision that promotes and protects political,
economic, social and cultural pluralism in an open society; 3. BOUND
by an unwavering and uncompromising political commitment to foster the
establishment of a truly open, free, libertarian, equal-opportunity, and
reconciled society with democratic safeguards for all people regarded both as
individuals and as members of the social formations to which they belong; 4. RECOGNISING
the need to harness the great resources of the country to fight the real
enemies of the people, namely: poverty, hunger, unemployment, disease,
ignorance, insecurity, homelessness and moral decay; 5. DESIRING
to ensure a fair distribution of the wealth of the country for the benefit of
all its people, by means of political and economic structures that encourage
free enterprise and create wealth, while promoting social justice and social
responsibility and solidarity throughout the country and within our
communities, families and workplaces; 6. WISHING
to give our Party a type of internal organisation which reflects our pluralist,
federalist, democratic and non-authoritarian ideals; and 7. PLEDGING
our Party to ensure the maintenance of a stable, peaceful society in which all
people can pursue their individual and collective happiness, and realise their
potential without fear or favour. THEREFORE,
SHARING A COMMON BELIEF AND VISION, WE
COMMIT OURSELVES TO THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE INKATHA FREEDOM PARTY AS SET
OUT IN THIS CONSTITUTION AND
WE PROCLAIM AND GIVE TO OURSELVES THIS CONSTITUTION STATEMENT OF BELIEF 1. We
believe that the political stability and economic prosperity of our society
must be founded on a humanistic culture of respect for the people,
regarded both as individuals and as members of the social and cultural
formations to which they belong. 2. We
believe in equality before the law, and in the intrinsic value of the rule of
law as the cornerstone of a free and just society under the law. We are
committed to eradicating the rule of man and substituting it with the rule of
law. We believe in advanced constitutionalism and in the need for a
justiciable, rigid and supreme constitution. We believe in the absolute
integrity and impartiality of government’s institutions and in the
separation between Party and State and between private and public interests. 3. We
believe that social justice is the main goal of organised societies. We believe
that the achievement of social justice must express the value of the freedom of
our people and promote the long-term social and economic development of our
society as a whole, as well as the personal growth and development of our
people. We believe that promoting social justice is both a collective and
individual responsibility. Therefore, we believe in effective and real equal
access to all available social, economic and political opportunities, and we
reject any form of communism and autocratic populism. 4. We
believe that it is the duty of all governments to uplift society as a whole,
paying special attention to the under-privileged and the victims of apartheid, while removing all social
and economic hindrances preventing individuals from developing to the maximum their
abilities and potential. 5. We
believe that individual and collective rights are the foundation of society,
and that all human rights must be protected, made justiciable and entrenched in
the constitution with respect to all relations under the control of government.
We also believe that an advanced culture of human rights protection must be
developed to redress not only old and well-known forms of abuse, but also to
prevent new forms of abuse of the people by the actions of government and
organisations which exercise control or power over the people. 6. We
believe in the value of pluralism as a political philosophy which promotes
freedom, and as a technique of structuring government and governance in a diverse
society. 7. We
believe that political pluralism in our country must be protected and promoted
by means of strong federalism, protection of political minorities, a
parliamentary system of government, the practice of direct and participatory
democracy, accountability of political representatives, and efficient,
transparent and good government and public administration. 8. We
believe that social and cultural pluralism must be protected and that to this
end the integrity, preeminence and role of civil society must be
constitutionally entrenched to ensure that it is government which serves
society and not vice versa. We
believe in the autonomy of social and cultural formations, ranging from family
structures and traditional organisations to universities, professional
associations, trade unions and associations of all types which shall be free
from government control and interference. 9. We
believe that the self-identification of individuals within a particular social
and cultural milieu is essential to their identity as South Africans, and that
culture, religion, morality and societal organisation belong to the people and
shall never become a business of government. 10. We
believe in a libertarian political culture of tolerance and non-violence which
promotes the direct empowerment of the people, communities and social and
cultural formations with the regulation and administration of their own
interests, and which rejects all forms of authoritarianism, paternalism and
centralism. 11. We
believe in economic pluralism based on a system of free-market enterprise which
ensures that the resources and the wealth of our country belong, and are made
accessible to all the people, and therefore, we also believe that government
shall not directly participate in economic enterprises or activities in all
cases in which the private sector can provide the required product or service. 12. We
believe that the role and scope of government must be limited to ensure the
protection of corresponding areas of individual and collective freedom, liberty
and autonomy. 13. We
believe therefore that the final transition from an unjust society to a just
society will be a difficult one. We are committed to developing a culture of
reconciliation, human respect and the promotion of personal growth, so as to
redress the historical human and spiritual costs suffered by the people of our
country because of apartheid
and some stages of the liberation struggle. 14. We
believe in a free and open society based on respect and tolerance, in which men
and women may pursue their happiness, nourish their values and appreciate the
spiritual intangibles which make life a unique experience and a divine gift. We
believe in the right and duty of any new generation to move the world forward
in developing new ideas and challenging past social conventions, dogmas and
superstitions. 15. We
believe that South Africa faces one of the greatest challenges ever posed to a
country, and which will be won only if all South Africans join hands to free
all the people from the slavery of poverty, ignorance, and social and cultural
segregation, while respecting their individual and collective rights and
diversity, and preserving the long-term viability of the economy by promoting a
culture of excellence and individual reward for industriousness and
achievement. 16. We
believe in the value of the culture of self-help and self-reliance as the
engine through which each building block of our society may participate in
improving South Africa, and call for an all-inclusive and perpetual revolution
of goodwill which empowers people of goodwill in their families, workplaces,
communities and relevant levels of government, to improve on their immediate
social and economic conditions. 17. We
believe that it is the inalienable right and duty of the people to stand up at
any time to fight for that which is right and against that which is wrong, and
we believe that this is the fundamental and unchangeable mission statement of
the Inkatha Freedom Party. THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE PARTY 1.1 To
promote and encourage the development of the people spiritually, economically,
educationally and politically. 1.2 To
eradicate all forms of corruption, exploitation and intimidation of man by man,
fighting and opposing the ancient as well as the modern evils of government and
all forms of social injustice. 1.3 To
bring about the transformation of our society and system of government to
ensure the long-term protection of political, economic, social and cultural
pluralism. 1.4 To
ensure equal and effective access to all available social, economic and
political opportunities and equal treatment for all people in all walks of
life. 1.5 To
co-operate with any movement or organisation acting for the improvement of the
conditions of the people. 1.6 To
reach the real and factual elimination from our society of all forms of
discrimination based on race, origin, sex, colour or creed. 1.7 To
protect, encourage and promote free trade, commerce, industry and agriculture,
along with the conservation and rational use of natural resources. 1.8 To
encourage all citizens to actively participate in all sectors of the economy
and social life, and to promote the concept of participatory democracy with
respect to the activities of any government. 1.9 To
maintain and entrench a justiciable Bill of Rights reflecting the highest
standards of individual and collective human rights’ protection. 1.10 To
foster a consciousness of patriotism and a strong sense of national unity in
diversity based on a common loyalty to our land. 1.11 To
propagate among our people the spirit of self-help and self-reliance. 1.12 To
co-operate locally and internationally with all parties and organisations working
for international peace and a world-wide open society based on the complete
eradication of all forms of national and international oppression and on the
recognition of cultural and national diversities. 1.13 To
promote and support worthy customs and cultures of all South Africans,
protecting the plural nature of our society. 1.14 To
give effect to the principles approved from time to time by the appropriate
organs of the Party. 1.15 To
carry out any other activities which, in the opinion of the Party, are
conducive to the attainment of the aims and objectives of the Party. MEMBERSHIP - DUTIES, OBLIGATIONS AND RIGHTS Membership 2.1 Membership
of the Party shall be voluntary and open to all South African citizens who
fully subscribe to the Preamble, Statement of Belief and accept the aims and objectives
and rules of the Party. 2.2 An
application for membership shall be submitted orally or in writing to the
appropriate Party official at specified offices of the Party and it should
specify the ward in which he or she intends to perform his or her political
activity. 2.3 Membership shall be conferred to an
applicant upon payment of a prescribed subscription fee and shall ordinarily be
valid for one (1) calendar year commencing on the 1st January and
ending on the 31st December of each year. This will apply even where
a member subscribes after January unless payment has been made for a specified
period. 2.4
A
member shall be eligible to occupy an official position in the structure only
after serving for a period not shorter than twelve (12) months as an ordinary
member unless the relevant structure is newly established. 2.5 Members
shall be eighteen years of age or older and subscribe to the conditions of
membership. 2.6 Membership
fees shall be determined from time to time by the National Council on the basis
of proposals to it from the Treasurer-General after consultation with the
Finance Committee. Duties and Obligations 2.7
Every
member shall be obliged to promote the unity of the Party at all times and on
all levels and shall refrain from any activity that creates disunity,
sectarianism and disruption of the services of the Party. 2.8
Every
member shall swear to uphold the principles and policies of the Party as
enshrined in this Constitution and shall pledge himself/herself to voluntarily
join expecting nothing in return by way of personal gain and/or position. Rights 2.9 A
member of the Party shall enjoy the following rights: [a] to
elect and to be elected to any office of the Party at any level; [b] to
elect and to be elected to any Committee of the Party at all levels; [c] to
criticise any shortcomings in the Party at its meetings when there are due
reasons and grounds; [d] to
attend in person meetings of the Party that discuss and pass decisions on his
or her activities and work; [e] to
request the Committee of the Party at all levels up to and including the
National Council to consider any questions or petitions; [f] to
freely take part in discussions on the work and policies of the Party; [g] a
member may stand for and hold any position in the Party, save that one may not
simultaneously hold more than one office bearer position, i.e. one derived from
a direct election from a Party structure.
Positions held in an ex officio
capacity or held by virtue of one’s office or as a Member of the National
Council or as nominated by the National Council are exempt from this rule; [h] a
Party Office Bearer may also hold office in government, save that one may not
simultaneously be a Chairperson of a Constituency and a Mayor of a ORGANISATION OF THE PARTY Party Structures 3.1 The
Party is a juristic person, which, subject to this Constitution, shall have the
power to sue and be sued in its name.
Subject to this Constitution, each Province is a distinct juristic
person responsible for its activities in respect of which it may sue and be
sued in its name. 3.2 The
Party shall be organised in National, Provincial, District, Constituency and
Branch structures, each of which shall be primarily responsible for its own
organisation and administration. 3.3 The
Party’s organisation shall be based on a differentiation between the roles,
offices and functions which are political and those which are administrative,
provided that: [a] this
shall not preclude those involved in political activities and roles from
fulfilling their duty to contribute to the administration of the Party, and [b] both
those involved in political activities and those attending to administration
shall respect and promote the principle that Party structures are to serve and
support all relevant Party leaders and constituencies equally and without
favour, bias or prejudice. 3.4 There
shall be one or more branch in each ward of a local municipality. In Traditional areas a branch shall comprise
the area of the Induna’s/Headman’s ward. In the suburbs and the rest of the country
polling stations or sections of a township could be considered in the
demarcation of branches in the ward. A Constituency shall comprise the
territory of a local municipality, a District the territory of a district
municipality or metropolitan municipality, and a Province the territory of a
province, provided that a Province may elect to establish sub-provinces as
approved by the Secretary-General and the National Council. 3.5 District,
Constituency and Branch organisation and administration shall be primarily
accountable to, and report within Provincial structures. Branches shall report
to the relevant Constituency, Constituencies to the District, and the Districts
to the Province. On a regular basis each
Province shall send a report to the President, the National Chairperson, the Secretary-General and the National Organiser on its
administration and organisation which shall also include information obtained from
Districts and Constituencies. 3.6
Any
elected Committee/Officer of the Party shall remain in office for a reasonable
period after the expiry of their term to allow for the next election to take
place. 3.7 On the
recommendation of the Treasurer-General after consultation with the Finance
Committee, the National Council shall develop general criteria to ensure that
membership fees and nationally available resources are directly made available
to the Province in which they have been raised or to which they pertain,
provided that [a] predetermined
resources shall be devolved on an annual basis to the national structure to
support its organisation and administration; [b] the
national structure may direct special resources towards one or more Province
for purposes of equalisation or political promotion in that Province; and [c] in
administering its available resources each Province shall ensure that
membership fees and nationally available resources are made available to each District
in which they have been raised, subject to the two foregoing subsections which,
mutatis mutandis, shall apply to the Provinces. National
Finance Committee 3.8 There
shall be a National Finance Committee of the Party which shall consist of the
following: [a] no
fewer than seven members appointed by the National Council from among its
members; [b] Treasurers
of each Province; [c] National
Treasurer of the Women’s Brigade; [d] National
Treasurer of the Youth Brigade; [e] Treasurer-General;
and [f] Secretary-General. Functions
of the National Finance Committee 3.9 The
National Finance Committee shall be accountable to the National Council and its
functions shall include the following: [a] formulation
of policy with regards to revenue and expenditure of the Party’s funds; [b] ensuring
that there is equity and fairness in the distribution of resources among and
between various structures and organs of the Party; [c] formulation
of broad guidelines to govern fundraising activities at all levels of the
Party; [d] monitoring
adherence by all structures and organs of the Party to agreed policy and
guidelines with regards to financial matters; [e] ensuring
adherence by all structures and organs of the Party to high standards of
financial management; [f] to
act as a clearing house for all investment business and financial proposals and
advise the National Council accordingly; and [g] to
meet on a regular basis and to submit reports to the National Council at least
on a quarterly basis. 3.10 Each
level of Party organisation may inspect and make recommendations with respect
to any organisational, administrative and financial matter related to a
structure immediately below it. 3.11 National
and Provincial organs of the Party shall be fiscally and financially
autonomous. Districts and Constituencies shall follow fiscal and financial
guidelines as determined by the Province concerned. Political Oversight Committee and its
Functions 3.12 The
National Council shall establish a Political Oversight Committee which shall
consist of not less than ten (10) members and no more than fifteen (15) members
who are knowledgeable about Party policies and governance matters. 3.13 The
Political Oversight Committee shall: [a] provide
political oversights over Party members, appointees of the Party, political
office bearers and public representatives at all three levels of government; [b] ensure
that where applicable IFP Members, office bearers, appointees and public
representatives fulfil their respective responsibilities and obligations to the
Party; and where appropriate to institutions of government and ultimately, to
the electorate; and [c] assist
and stimulate the Party in holding its representatives accountable to it and
the electorate for their performance and conduct. 3.14 Members,
office bearers, appointees and public representatives have extensive
responsibilities and obligations to the Party; and where appropriate to
institutions of government and ultimately, to the public as the electorate. The
Party accordingly has a clear obligation and mandate to hold its
representatives accountable to it for their performance and conduct. 3.15 In
the exercise of its mandate the Political Oversight Committee shall: [a] ensure that the Party representatives
function at an optimal level and within the political culture of the Party; [b] liaise with the IEC on the deployment
and removal of Party representatives at all levels of the government; [c] investigate alleged breaches of code
of conduct and infringements of any law or regulation by the Party’s
public representatives in the performance of their responsibilities, and to
refer these to disciplinary processes where necessary; [d] implement disciplinary decisions from
various disciplinary tribunals; [e] deploy members to various Party
structures and nominate candidates (after consultation with relevant
stakeholders) as political office bearers and senior managers at all three
levels of government; and [f] attend to any other matters of
political relevance that may be referred to it by the Party President or
Secretary-General. 3.16 Political Oversight Committee shall
report to the National Council. Bodies not provided for in this
Constitution 3.17 Each
of the individual or collegial offices provided for in this Constitution may
establish any other individual or collegial, political or administrative office
provided that such new office: [a] may
not exercise any power or prerogative which under this Constitution does not
belong to the office which established it; and [b] shall
serve at the pleasure of, and shall report and be fully accountable to the
office which established it. Policy Formulation and Portfolios 3.18 Policy
formulation shall be the result of co-operation between the National and Provincial
levels. National policies shall bind each Province, but shall remain
sufficiently general with respect to provincial affairs that they can be
implemented in each Province so as to adjust them to the specific needs and
policy aspirations of that Province. 3.19 Any
reasonable and legitimate doubt between National and Provincial competence in a
policy matter should be solved in favour of the preeminence of National policy,
provided that any doubt between National and Provincial competence in an
administrative, organisational or financial matter should be solved in favour
of provincial autonomy. 3.20 The
National and each Provincial Council shall establish standing committees
divided on the basis of subject matter competence (Portfolios) which, inter alia,
are to report to the President, the National Chairperson and the Secretary-General.
The Portfolios shall have [a] the
primary responsibility of formulating policy recommendations on topics of their
competence; and [b] the
responsibility of directing, conducting and monitoring the Party's activities
related to the implementation of Party policies connected with their
competencies. 3.21 Under the co-ordination and direction of
the President, the National Chairperson and the Secretary-General, each
Portfolio shall seek to co-ordinate its activities with IFP study groups in the
National or Provincial Parliaments, as the case may be, as well as with fora
and research groups established within the Party or within affiliated organisations.
When possible, all Portfolios related to a same subject matter shall have joint
meetings and programmes under the direction of an elected Chairperson who shall
preferably and ordinarily be a member of the parliamentary study group. The
Portfolios shall include, but shall not be limited to the following subject
matters, some of which, when required, may be grouped into one Portfolio: [a] Party
Organisation and Development [b] National
Security [c] Constitutional
and Legislative Affairs, including the Party's constitutional matters [d] Publicity
and Information [e] Economic
and Financial Affairs [f] Fiscal
and Budgetary Matters [g] Housing [h] Local
Government [i] Community
Development [j] Welfare [k] Education [l] Health [m] Sports
and Recreation [n] Cultural
Affairs and Research [o] Land
Affairs [p] Environment [q] Labour
Relations and Trade Unionism [r] Women’s
Affairs [s] Youth
Affairs [t] Senior
Citizens [u] Substance
Addiction and Social Degradation [v] Foreign
Relations [w] Defence [x] Ethics
and Party Discipline [y] Traditional
Affairs |