IFP advocates for Zulu king recognition through National Dialogue
Image: Archives
Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) said it will use the National Dialogue to relaunch its fight for full recognition of Zulu King Misuzulu and traditional leaders, which deadlocked during the Convention for the Democratic South Africa (Codesa) talks in the early 90s.
In a media briefing on Monday, the party said it fully supported the dialogue, which was proposed by its late founder, inkosi Mangosuthu Buthelezi, eight years ago. Buthelezi died in 2023.
Emphasising the importance of dialogue, the party president, Velenkosini Hlabisa, said it was a matter of historic record that Codesa fell short in many respects in wholly transitioning South Africa into democracy, as political freedom has not, among other things, translated into economic justice for South Africans.
Hlabisa said since 1994, his party has continuously advocated for meaningful conversation, through a National Dialogue, on these critical issues because national unity and social stability depend on the collective ability to address these outstanding matters.
Video Player is loading.
Play Video
Play
Unmute
Current Time
0:00
/
Duration
-:-
Loaded :
0%
Stream Type LIVE
Seek to live, currently behind live
LIVE
Remaining Time
-
0:00
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque
Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps
Reset
restore all settings to the default values Done
Close Modal Dialog
End of dialog window.
Advertisement
Video Player is loading.
Play Video
Play
Unmute
Current Time
0:00
/
Duration
-:-
Loaded :
0%
Stream Type LIVE
Seek to live, currently behind live
LIVE
Remaining Time
-
0:00
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque
Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps
Reset
restore all settings to the default values Done
Close Modal Dialog
End of dialog window.
Next
Stay
Close ✕
'The Inkatha Freedom Party firmly believes that South Africa's future depends on open, inclusive, and honest dialogue among all its citizens. As Shenge reminded us, a national dialogue is not just about talking — it is about listening, understanding, and finding common ground to address the nation's most pressing challenges. We want the outstanding matters of Codesa to be addressed in the National Dialogue, such as the powers of the king and amakhosi,' said Hlabisa
He said in times of economic, political, and social crossroads, dialogue offers a consensus-seeking path to nation-building. It emphasises the importance of engaging diverse voices across all segments of society, from government and traditional leaders to ordinary citizens, to forge solutions rooted in mutual understanding.
'Eight years ago, on 05 May 2017, our founder, Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi, emphasised the importance of National Dialogue on issues like land reform, traditional leadership, poverty alleviation, and social cohesion. He pointed out almost prophetically that 'South Africa has reached a crossroads, economically, politically, and socially. We cannot move blindly into the future, accepting the current trajectory as fixed. It is not. We are, after all, masters of our own destiny',' concluded the party.
The IFP vigorously fought for the greater powers of the then-king Zwelithini during the Codesa talks to the point that the party boycotted the first democratic elections in 1994. It only entered elections a few days before the election date after international peace brokers promised to revisit the outstanding matters after the elections, which never happened.
willem.phungula@inl.co.za
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
7 minutes ago
- IOL News
Court rules on former ConCourt Judge Yvonne Mokgoro's will
Late Justice Yvonne Mokgoro made an earlier will in 2014, but her children told the Kimberley High Court that the earlier will fell away as she made another will seven years later. Image: File The children of the former Constitutional Court Judge Yvonne Mokgoro, who passed away in May last year, turned to the court in a bid for the Master of the High Court to accept what they said is the last will and testament of their mother made in 2021. Judge Mokgoro made an earlier will in 2014, but her children told the Kimberley High Court that the earlier will fell away as she made another will seven years later. While both wills are basically the same, the only difference is in clause three of both wills. In the 2014 will in reference to this clause, the late judge left her share in a property to her life partner, Naledi Monyeki. In terms of her 2021 will, she left her share to her children and to a grandchild. Her son Ithatheng Mokgoro is the executor of her estate. None of the respondents, which included the Master, opposed the application, other than her life partner. After the passing of the deceased, Ithatheng contacted the fiduciary services company which handled the affairs of the late judge regarding her will. It was during this meeting that he learned that his mother had two wills. He examined the 2021 will more closely and noted that the place of signature had not been filled in at the appropriate place on the document. He also noted that the signatures on the 2021 will appear to be electronic signatures. This was confirmed by the witnesses. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Monyeki, meanwhile, did not dispute that the late judge had instructed the 2021 will to be drawn up. He, however, forwarded several points in law as to why he disputed the 2021 will. This includes his argument that the Wills Act does not make provision for electronic signatures on the document. The court was told by counsel for the applicants that the 2021 will was drawn up by the financial company under the express direction of the deceased; and that it was clearly her intention that the 2021 will was to be her last will and testament. In declaring the 2021 document to be the last will and wish of the late judge, Judge Lawrence Lever said the email sent by her was clear. She asked two witnesses to electronically sign the new will, while she said she would also attach her electronic signature to the document. There was direct input from the deceased, and it could only have been on her direct instruction that the change in who was to benefit from her half share in the property could have been made, Judge Lever said. He also referred to the message by the late judge in which she said that she had done all she can to make her last will and testament as fair and uncomplicated as she can. He said Judge Mokgoro's wishes were clear and ordered the Master to accept her 2021 will. Cape Times
IOL News
5 hours ago
- IOL News
South Africa eyes diversification as jobs exodus looms over 30% US import tariffs
Zane Dangor, the Director-General (DG) of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco), speaking with Simphiwe Hamilton, the director-general of the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic) during a press briefing led by Ministers Ronald Lamola and Parks Tau on the reciprocal US tariffs. Image: GCIS Banele Ginidza About 30 000 jobs in various sectors are likely to be impacted by the unilateral 30% import tariffs to be imposed by the United States on South African products, which is set to come into effect before the end of this week. This was announced on Monday as the government seeks to craft an export diversification strategy leaning heavily towards China's R20 billion market through the offered China-Africa Trade partnership and a special industrialisation memorandum of understanding exclusively with South Africa. Simphiwe Hamilton, the director-general of the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic), confirmed that thousands of jobs were on the line in a variety of industries that export goods to the US market. 'We base this on the ongoing consultation that we have with all the sectors of the economy, from automotive to agriculture, and all the other sectors that are going to be affected, and at this stage, we are sitting at approximately 30 000 jobs that could be affected by this,' Hamilton said. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ The dtic and the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco) said the 20% increase on top of the basic 10% tariff may shave off 0.2% of South Africa's economic growth, with the reduction in growth depending on SA's ability to find alternative markets. Trade Minister Parks Tau said it was mildly comforting that 35% of SA exports remained exempted from the tariffs with the exceptions published in the previous US Executive Order to remain in force. The exceptions cover products such as copper, pharmaceuticals, semi-conductors, lumber articles, certain critical minerals, stainless steel scrap, energy and energy products. Tau said the impact of the tariff was still subject of scrutiny with various conclusions, citing AgriCulture South Africa reporting an understated impact than initially modelled. "Drawing a straight line is a mistake we all have been making over the past few months when we are saying the auto sector is going to be affected and can't export to the US market," Tau said. "But when you drill down to the detail, most of the Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) in the country do not go into the US market. So you have to go to the OEM that goes into the US market to determine what percentage of products [is exported to the US] to then determine impact. Last month, US President Donald Trump stated that the 30% tariff was "necessary to correct the many years of South Africa's Tariff, and Non Tariff, Policies and Trade Barriers," blaming Pretoria for what he called "unsustainable Trade Deficits against the United States." However, Tau and Dirco Minister Ronald Lamola said the calculation of US-SA "trade deficit" ignored the substantial US trade surplus in services, as well as the complementary nature of the bilateral trade and investment relations between the two countries. "South African exports do not compete with US producers and do not pose a threat to the US industry," they said in a joint statement. As a result, the government has embarked on the diversification of markets and strengthening trade and investment partnerships with various trade partners, targeting markets across Africa, as well as in Asia, Europe, Middle East, and Americas. "Our announcement on the Clean Trade and Investment Partnership with the European Union in March has unlocked a R90 Billion Investment Package that has been initially committed," read the statement. "This Clean Trade and Investment Partnership also aims to unlock new market access opportunities for South Africa, including the export of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) by Sasol and the exports of hybrids and Electric Vehicles. "While facing global trade challenges, South Africa is proactively building a more resilient agricultural sector. We've made significant progress in opening up vast new markets like China and Thailand, securing vital protocols for products like citrus and others." The government said that with China alone being a $200bn market, South Africa was confidently expanding its reach and creating new opportunities for agricultural producers. "We're making significant inroads into new, high-growth markets across Asia and the Middle East, including the UAE, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia. We have also developed a number of Trade and Investment Packages with a number of countries, including Japan that aim to unlock new market access opportunities," it said. "While the current measures present challenges, it also presents opportunities to build and accelerate the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement and to develop new partnerships in markets that have remained untapped, including ASEAN and Turkiye." BUSINESS REPORT
IOL News
5 hours ago
- IOL News
The deadly consequences of whistleblowing for municipal workers in South Africa
The South African Municipal Workers' Union says municipal workers need protection due to threats linked to their work. Image: Independent Newspapers Archives Poor service delivery, politics, and whistleblowing have turned the local government sphere into a 'war zone,' resulting in the deaths of close to 150 municipal workers in the past six years. The South African Municipal Workers Union (Samwu) revealed that since 2018, about 148 municipal workers have been assassinated. It stated that whistleblowing is now the leading cause of these killings and called for municipal workers, especially those who work in procurement, to be provided with protection even beyond their workplace. The union indicated that the statistics were gleaned from several reports compiled by a non-governmental organisation. Samwu general secretary Dumisani Magagula detailed the extent of the problem and the threat faced by municipal workers during an interview with a television news channel. He stated that the data was compiled by the Crisis Mapping Association and Corruption Watch, which has also gathered data with the union and Stats SA on killings in local government. 'It was revealed that since 2018, 148 officials have been killed. It's a very bad picture, and it shows that we are in a war zone in local government. 'These killings are complex; in some instances, they occur because of service delivery issues where communities become impatient with municipal workers. They express their anger resulting in municipal workers being at risk and, in many instances, being killed,' he said. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ 'There are political issues as well that lead to municipal workers being killed, but also whistleblowing, which is taking the crown, together with business hijackings. Gangsters walk into a municipality, demand tenders, and insist on being subcontracted. If the municipal workers do not comply, they are at risk of being killed, even from inside the municipal building, because these gangsters come in fully armed. We have seen many instances of that nature. 'There are many factors that expose municipal workers to being attacked and killed. Municipal workers need more protection, and those who work in procurement need protection beyond the workplace. They should be assessed in terms of what their risks are, and measures must be in place to protect municipal workers so that if there are matters of corruption they want to raise, they will feel secure and know that they and their families are safe.' He added that the primary reason why municipal workers are killed is due to the significant amount of money involved in local government. Magagula also said that they will take the matter to the bargaining council to advocate for policies that aim to protect workers. President of South African Local Government Association Bheke Stofile said intervention was needed as the country is fast heading towards being a mafia state. Stofile said they have been speaking about killings in local government, and they even released research used during the Moerane Commission and later updated the statistics. They also spoke about this during parliamentary debates, including various State of the Nation debates. He added that recently, they discussed two concepts: the 'elephant in the room' and the 'invisible hand' that must be dealt with as a country; otherwise, "we are fast gravitating towards a mafia state." KwaZulu-Natal Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi recently expressed grave concern over the escalating number of attacks and murders targeting municipal workers across the province.
