NFP to make changes for 2021 local government bout
BATTERED at the polls, the National Freedom Party, a once dominant force in Kwazulu-natal politics, has vowed to effect drastic changes such as deciding the future of its ailing leader, Zanele Kamagwazamsibi, in order to make a solid comeback in the 2021 local government elections.
While the party has been left heavily bruised, its chairperson in Kwazulu-natal, Vikizitha Mlotshwa, said it would regroup and rid itself of members who contributed to the party’s woes in 2016.
Despite popular belief that these elections mark an end for the party, Mlotshwa said the future was bright and they would certainly make a dramatic comeback.
Speaking to Independent Media while monitoring incoming results of the May 8 elections in Durban, Mlotshwa said its troubles were a result of their failure to contest the 2016 local government elections due to the party failing to pay its the required deposits on time.
That, he said, was preceded by Kamagwaza-msibi falling sick in 2014 and later suffering a stroke.
On a provincial level, in these elections the partyfinds itself wedged in fifth place, way below the IFP and a devastating distance away from the ANC with which it previously formed a coalition.
The NFP’S optimism of rising from the ashes is justified according to political analyst, Professor Bheki Mngomezulu of UWC.
He said while there was a need to find a leader to take over from Kamagwaza-msibi, the party should not sideline her but made her an honorary lifetime presidency that would also allow her to advise the party as she knew how to run it as the founder.
“Her presence, even without being active, can be very helpful to the party,” he said.