18th August 2008

More than 120 people from across different cultural groups today joined the Inkatha Freedom Party after defecting primarily from the African National Congress and the United Democratic Movement.  Among those welcomed by the National Chairperson of the IFP, Mrs. Zanele KaMagwaza Msibi at the IFP Head Office, were Bheki Cele, former National Organiser of the UDM and Cythia Gumede, former Provincial Women Organiser.  

Welcoming the new members, Mrs. Msibi said:

"It must be a very painful and humiliating blow for the ruling African National Congress to lose about thirty members just after they launched their Election Campaign this last weekend. 

"The thirty brothers and sisters whom I have the honour to welcome to the Inkatha Freedom Party today, are yet another irrefutable evidence that the people of this Province and the people of South Africa in general are unequivocally saying to the ruling ANC: 'We have given you fourteen years to bring about better lives for all; but you have not done well. Yes, you have made some improvements but multitudes are still trapped in hunger, poverty and deprivation.'  

"Today's event is a clear clarion call for change by the people of this country. These Comrades are a microcosm of a groundswell of support towards the party of hope, the IFP. They articulate in action what the multitudes of our people are saying, that: 'Now is the time for change!

And that change is embodied in the IFP!" 

"Comrades, you have done the right thing by joining the IFP. You are joining a party which is on a mission not just to reclaim KwaZulu-Natal, but also to reclaim our rightful position in the national political stage. With your support and the support of other South Africans we will achieve our objectives. We will achieve these objectives because we are a party whose time has come.  

"You are now part of the IFP family. We eagerly await your expertise, experiences and know-how to enrich the whole IFP and the people of South Africa."