Neelam Rahim | neelam@radioislam.co.za

2-minute read
12 April 2023 | 15:45 CAT

ANC Osizweni chairman Thembalenkosi Mazibuko and IFP Fana Duma at the IFP/ANC meeting at the DLI Hall on Saturday. Photo credit: The African

In March last year, the King Cetshwayo District Municipality, which fell under the IFP following the 2021 local government elections, resolved through resolution KZDM162/2022 to restore the name of the municipal headquarters to Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi House.

This was to reverse a decision taken by the ANC while it oversaw this municipality before 2021. Political analyst Prof Bheki Mngomezulu wrote an opinion piece on this and says that the ANC and IFP will need each other come 2024.

According to Prof Mngomezulu, At the centre of the debate was whether renaming the municipal building after Buthelezi was a justifiable move – especially given that the municipality is named after King Cetshwayo. While some hailed the council decision as most appropriate, those who held a conflicting view argued that the decision was tantamount to undermining King Cetshwayo. Others saw this as a turf war between the ANC and the IFP.

Meanwhile, Prof Mngomezulu believes there is a case to be made that the ANC and IFP will need each in next year’s national elections – as much as they did decades ago.

He said history suggests the ANC and IFP political parties stand a better chance amongst others to have a sustainable coalition for several reasons.

“After the new political dispensation, there has been an instance where both the ANC and IFP ran KwaZulu-Natal jointly, leaving the potential of working together,” he added.

Listen to the full interview on Radio Islam’s podcast.