Bongani Mncwango, who jumped ship from the MKP to IFP, flanked by IFP KZN chairperson Thami Ntuli and party president Velenkosini Hlabisa.
Inkatha Freedom Party/Facebook
- The IFP has recruited the MK Party’s most recent secretary-general, whom Jacob Zuma relied on to lure traditional leaders.
- Bongani Mncwango says he was approached by four parties but ultimately decided on the IFP.
- The IFP says it drew lessons from the ANC Eastern Cape’s failed bid to hold an elective conference, and it’s surgically dealing with branch-related procedures before it holds its national conference.
The MK Party’s (MKP) most recent secretary-general, Bongani Mncwango, has joined the IFP.
Until very recently, Mncwango was Jacob Zuma’s most trusted ally until the latter appointed a new secretary-general, advocate Sibonelo Nomvalo.
When Zuma announced Mncwango as the new MKP secretary-general last year, he indicated he was leaning on the leader, who hails from royal lineage, to lure traditional leaders to the party.
In a press briefing held at the IFP’s headquarters in Durban on Wednesday, party president Velenkosini Hlabisa unveiled Mncwango as an ordinary member, hailing his leadership in the private and public sectors.
Mncwango is a former chief executive officer of Sanlam Healthcare, Netcare 911, and managing director of Bonitas Medical Fund Administration.
Hlabisa said: “His expertise and strategic insight will significantly strengthen the IFP as we intensify our mobilisation efforts ahead of the upcoming local government elections.
“His decision to join the IFP is not incidental – it is a clear affirmation of the growing confidence in the IFP as a credible, principled, and values-driven political home.”
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Hlabisa said Mncwango’s joining the IFP is “not an isolated development”. He claimed South African voters from diverse political backgrounds are “choosing” the IFP for integrity, constitutionalism, and ethical leadership.
“At a time of deep political uncertainty, the IFP stands firm as a beacon of stability, unity, and good governance.”
Mncwango said he had “four offers” to join other parties, but chose the IFP for “experience”, “potential growth,” and a strong leadership bench in the party.
Mncwango said:
You are dealing with a leadership core that has been around and pretty much mature leadership. That was attractive to me.
Mncwango – who is related to IFP deputy secretary-general Albert Mncwango, an MP – appeared well-versed in the party’s history.
Asked why he left MKP, Mncwango said he wouldn’t use an IFP platform to “box” an opponent who wasn’t in the ring, or at the briefing.
Hlabisa said he will be leading another ceremony in Estcourt, Inkosi Langalibalele Municipality, where the IFP has recruited ANC and MKP members.
He hailed the IFP’s recent by-election momentum as showing a growing trust from voters.
Plans for local government elections
To build on that, on 13 April, the IFP will convene its national council meeting to chart a path towards the local government elections, which will be followed by an extended national council on 20 April, bringing together over 600 leaders from across the country to consolidate its strategy and readiness.
News24 asked whether the party would, as promised last year, still hold its elective conference by August.
Hlabisa said the national council meeting would table the outstanding issue of the conference.
He said the IFP is busy finalising the last outstanding branches.
Without referring to the ANC by name, Hlabisa said the party is treating the branches issue with care, having learnt from a recent experience with another party that was interdicted from holding its elective conference.
The ANC in the Eastern Cape failed to hold its elective conference after branch members took the party to court for failing to constitute branches in accordance with procedure.
