RESOLUTIONS OF THE ANNUAL KWAZULU-NATAL PROVINCIAL CONFERENCE OF THE INKATHA FREEDOM PARTY
ON THE THEME “ONE IFP, ONE LEGACY AND ONE FUTURE”

ESIKHAWINI CAMPUS OF UMFOLOZI FET COLLEGE, EMPANGENI
SATURDAY, 3 JULY 2010

RESOLUTIONS

RESOLUTION 1:  PRINCE MANGOSUTHU BUTHELEZI

Conference noting  

1. the IFP National Council resolution which was unanimously adopted in Ulundi on the 24–25 October 2009, which
   i)    noted that on two previous occasions in 2004 and 2005 Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi indicated his intention to retire, but remained in his leadership position at the unanimous insistence of the Party’s Annual General Conference;
   ii)   further noted with concerns the ructions within the Party at a crucial juncture marked by the imminence of the 2011 local government elections; and
   iii)  urged Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi to continue to remain the unifying leader of the Party and to ensure a smooth and democratic succession transition when the time is ripe and will appreciate his consideration of the matter.

Conference therefore 

1. REQUESTS Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi to consider the resolution of the National Council in a positive light;

2.  APPLAUDS him for dedicating his life to the pursuit of a prosperous and democratic KwaZulu-Natal and South Africa;

3. CONDEMNS political analysts, media pundits and those within our ranks who have called for his early retirement;

4. BELIEVES that the challenges facing the Party can be overcome through the calibre of leadership that only Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi can provide at this crucial juncture; and

5. CALLS upon all well-meaning members of the Party to close ranks and unite behind Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi’s leadership, and to provide him with unflinching support as he considers the National Council resolution for the sake of our nation.

RESOLUTION 2:   AFFIRMATION OF THE VUKUZITHATHE AND ERGC II
                            CONSOLIDATED REPORT DOCUMENTS

RESOLUTION 3:   EXTENDED NATIONAL COUNCIL MEETING

Conference noting

1. the threat of violence in certain areas of KwaZulu-Natal due to divisions and ructions within the Party; and

2. the need to address the underlying tensions before our Annual General Conference, to ensure that we engage in serene debate and arrive at the genuine will of our Party members without intimidation, bloodshed and threats.

Conference therefore 

1. SUPPORTS the holding of the extended National Council meeting (a representative body) to give all our structures the opportunity to interrogate whether we still have one IFP, or two organisations in one, and decide on the way forward; and

2. CALLS on the Party structures which would be invited to the extended National Council meeting to engage in serene debate and put the interests of the Party above all else.

RESOLUTION 4: NEGATIVE PUBLICITY SURROUNDING THE IFP IN THE MEDIA

Conference noting

1. the need to develop a robust and vibrant opposition and a credible alternative to the ANC in KwaZulu-Natal when the playing fields are not level and media coverage is so clearly skewed in favour of the Ruling Party; and

2. the IFP’s past experience of media prejudice which has reached alarming proportions with the divisions and ructions within the Party.

Conference therefore 

1. CALLS on the media to uphold high ethical standards of journalism which bind it to report without fear or favour for the sake of our fledgling democracy; and

2. CALLS on those media houses which continue to run articles, cartoons and commentaries with very little substance and very little truth which leave readers with a poor understanding of what is really going on within the IFP to refrain from misrepresenting the facts.

RESOLUTION 5: RENAMING OF THE MANGOSUTHU HIGHWAY

Conference noting

1. the determination of the ANC-led Ethekwini Metro Council to proceed with the renaming the Mangosuthu Highway in Umlazi after Griffiths Mxenge following the Durban High Court judgement which ruled in the Council’s favour; and

2. the inconclusive bilateral talks meetings between the IFP and ANC Provincial Executive Committees.

Conference therefore 

1. CALLS on the ANC leadership in KwaZulu-Natal to instruct the Ethekwini Metro Council to halt the process of renaming of Mangosuthu Highway pending the finalisation of the unfinished political business between the IFP and ANC.

RESOLUTION 6: TRIBUTE TO THE LATE BUSI MHLONGO

Conference noting 

1. the passing away of popular artist Busi Mhlongo following a chronic illness.

Conference therefore 

1. PAYS TRIBUTE to this music diva who was credited by musicians and music lovers as having made a substantial contribution to the mbhaqanga music genre and who was also a staunch supporter of our President, a family friend of the KwaPhindangene Royal Residence. Her songs enriched us all and we will remember her through her music; and

2. OFFERS its heartfelt sympathies and sincere condolences to members of her family, friends and associates.

RESOLUTION 7: 2010 FIFA SOCCER WORLD CUP

Conference noting 

1. the successful hosting of the first FIFA Soccer World Cup in Africa since 11 June 2010 when hundreds of thousands of soccer fans have graced our shores;

2. the laudable performance of the South African national soccer team, Bafana Bafana, despite their early exit from the competition; and

3. the excellent performance of the Ghanaian national soccer team, the Black Stars, which has reached the quarter-finals of the FIFA Soccer World Cup.

Conference therefore 

1. EXPRESSES gratitude to FIFA for staging the World Soccer Cup games in South Africa;

2. COMMENDS the Local Organising Committee (LOC) and the people of South Africa for hosting the successful games and related events so far;

3. EXPRESSES our pride in the performance of Bafana Bafana;

4. THANKS the Black Stars of Ghana for representing Africa by reaching the quarter-finals of the FIFA Soccer World Cup; and

5. CALLS on KwaZulu-Natal citizens and all South Africans to continue to show popular support to the FIFA tournament.

RESOLUTION 8: THREAT OF XENOPHOBIA POST-2010 FIFA WORLD CUP

Conference noting 

1. the reported threats of an outbreak of xenophobia after the FIFA Soccer World Cup; and

2. the recent outbreaks of xenophobia in KwaZulu-Natal and throughout the country, in which there was tragic loss of life and property.

Conference therefore 

1. CALLS on the KwaZulu-Natal government and the SAPS to make contingency plans to prevent such barbarous behaviour from reoccurring; and

2. REITERATES the IFP’s message that the people of goodwill must treat our visitors and all foreign nationals with respect and courtesy in the spirit of Ubuntu-botho.

RESOLUTION 9: HIV/AIDS

Conference noting  

1. the government’s approval of the changes to the HIV Counselling and Testing guidelines requiring all healthcare workers in the public sector to routinely offer HIV testing to all persons entering the public health facilities; and

2. the government’s commitment to test 15 million people in South Africa for HIV/AIDS in a bid to reduce infections by 50% by 2011 and to provide ARV treatment to 80% of those needing treatment.

Conference therefore 

1. COMMENDS the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health for adopting the IFP’s health policy on HIV/AIDS which advocated routine but voluntary blood tests for all patients in conjunction with other baseline blood tests in order to de-stigmatise the HIV/AIDS pandemic;

2. CALLS on the IFP Members of the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature and especially members of its Health Portfolio Committee to monitor the government’s progress in reaching its ambitious targets;

3. CALLS ON the government to ensure the success of this plan by revamping and properly equipping public health facilities to enable them to offer HIV testing and provide ARV treatment;

4. cautiously WELCOMES the inclusion of the medical male circumcision as part of the national prevention programme provided that its cost does not exceed the more effective forms of prevention such as the use of condoms; and

5. REITERATES the IFP’s position that prevention remains the best measure in combating the spread of HIV in our country.

RESOLUTION 10: CONFLICT OF INTEREST IN KZN GOVERNMENT

Conference noting 

1. the pervasive nature of various forms of conflict of interest between elected and appointed officials in the KwaZulu-Natal provincial government, the province’s local government and its civil service at large;

2. the growing number of outstanding forensic reports into mismanagement, fraud and corruption across the provincial government; and

3. the failure on the part of the provincial government to act decisively against individuals who are suspected or guilty of conflicts of interest.

Conference therefore

1. URGES the IFP Members of the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature and the Party’s representatives in local government to intensify their efforts in uncovering instances of conflict of interest; and

2. CALLS on the provincial government to match its efforts in investigating conflicts of interest with a commitment to opening the outcomes of these investigations to the public scrutiny and bring the perpetrators to book in line with the relevant legislation.

RESOLUTION 11: SUSPENSION OF ITHALA CEO

Conference noting

1. the string of scandals that have recently accompanied the CEO of Ithala (founded by the erstwhile KwaZulu government under the leadership of Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi);

2. the political protection this individual enjoys in the highest political places in the province; and

3. the negative impact his actions have had on the reputation and morale of KwaZulu-Natal’s civil service and Ithala in particular.

Conference therefore

1. CALLS on the provincial government to suspend the CEO from his position at Ithala and establish an independent body of inquiry into his alleged misconduct in his current and previous positions in the province’s civil service; and

2. ENSURES that Ithala is used as a vehicle to support economic growth and development in our province.

Contact: Dr Bonginkosi Buthelezi, IFP KZN Provincial Secretary, 082 516 0156

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