Democracy in IFP leadership transition
THE IFP’s smooth leadership transition has left little for analysts and commentators to pontificate about.
Naturally they would have preferred sparks to fly. Unfortunately, in the absence of controversy, some have simply manufactured it.
In his article titled “New leadership, new era for IFP” (The Mercury, September 19), Professor Bheki Mngomezulu claims that the IFP’s president, Mr Velenkosini Hlabisa, was not nominated in accordance with the party’s constitution, which requires that such nominations “have approval right through from the branches to the top”. Yet that is exactly what happened in the nomination of the president.
Well ahead of the National Conference, the IFP called an extended National Council meeting in which all structures were represented, from branches up. Everyone was given the opportunity to indicate if they would be standing for election, or to nominate a candidate to stand.
This is not unusual. The same was done recently by the ANC. In that meeting, no one came forward indicating their intention to stand for election as president, and only one name was put forward; that of Mr Velenkosini Hlabisa.
Not a single objection was raised, and the nomination was unanimously accepted.
At the conference itself, in line with our constitution, opportunity was again given for any delegate to nominate a candidate.
Yet no name was put forward to oppose Mr Hlabisa. The spontaneous roar of approval when the new president was declared spoke for itself. No stretch of the imagination will change the fact that the IFP is moving forward, united and strong.
MKHULEKO HLENGWA MP | IFP National spokesperson