Inkatha Freedom Party facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Inkatha Freedom Party IQembu leNkatha yeNkululeko  (Zulu)
Abbreviation	IFP
President	Velenkosini Hlabisa
Chairperson	MB Gwala
Secretary-General	Siphosethu Ngcobo
Spokesperson	Mkhuleko Hlengwa
Deputy President	Inkosi Buthelezi
Deputy Secretary-General	Albert Mncwango
Treasurer-General	Narend Singh
Deputy Chairperson	Thembeni Madlopha-Mthethwa
Parliamentary leader	Velenkosini Hlabisa
Founder	Mangosuthu Buthelezi
Founded	21 March 1975; 50 years ago (1975-03-21)
Headquarters	2 Durban Club Place Durban KwaZulu-Natal
Student wing	South African Democratic Students Movement
Ideology	Conservatism Anti-communism Ubuntu philosophy Constitutional monarchism Faction: KwaZulu-Natal regionalism
Political position	Right-wing
National affiliation	Multi-Party Charter (MPC)
Continental affiliation	Democrat Union of Africa
International affiliation	International Democrat Union
Colours	Red
National Assembly seats	17 / 400
NCOP seats	2 / 90
Provincial Legislatures	14 / 430
Party flag

The Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP; Zulu: IQembu leNkatha yeNkululeko) is a political party in South Africa. It is known for its conservative ideas. While it is a national party, most of its support comes from the KwaZulu-Natal province.

Mangosuthu Buthelezi started the party in 1975. He was a chief minister in KwaZulu during the Apartheid era. He led the IFP until 2019, when Velenkosini Hlabisa became the new party president.

After Apartheid ended in 1994, the IFP got most of its support from Zulu communities. Over time, the party has tried to gain more support across the country. They do this by promoting ideas that are socially and economically conservative. In the 2019 national election, the IFP came in fourth place. They won 3.38% of the votes and 14 seats in the National Assembly.

What the IFP Believes In

The IFP has several key ideas for how South Africa should be run:

• They want more power given to provincial governments.
• They believe the head of state and head of government should be different people. The head of state would be a ceremonial leader.
• They support a special voting system for the National Assembly.
• They want to make trade more open and free.
• They suggest lower taxes on income.
• They want more flexible rules for workers and businesses.
• They believe traditional African communities and their leaders should have more independence.
• They think traditional leaders should help with local government tasks.
• They disagree with the idea that traditional ways are always old-fashioned or stop progress.

In 2018, the party suggested that South Africa should discuss bringing back the death penalty. This was stated by MP Narend Singh.

The IFP is generally seen as a right-wing party. However, the party itself says it is in the middle ground. They say they reject both too much government control and too much freedom. The IFP bases its values on Ubuntu/Botho, which are traditional African values. They support a future where all groups in South Africa have equal rights. The party strongly believes in law and order. They especially want tougher punishments for people who harm women and children. The IFP also supports the Zulu monarchy. They want the constitutional monarch of the KwaZulu-Natal region to have more power and recognition.

History of the IFP

Mangosuthu Buthelezi, the first president and long-time leader of the IFP in parliament.

During Apartheid

Mangosuthu Buthelezi started the Inkatha National Cultural Liberation Movement (INCLM) on March 21, 1975. He used ideas from an older Zulu cultural group called Inkatha. In 1994, the movement changed its name to the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP). The party began in what is now KwaZulu-Natal. Soon, branches opened in other parts of South Africa.

At first, the IFP and the African National Congress (ANC) were close. They both worked against Apartheid. But by the early 1980s, they started to disagree. The ANC had more political power through the United Democratic Front (UDF). During the early 1990s, there were conflicts between IFP and ANC members. Both sides formed groups to protect themselves.

Buthelezi's power as a Homeland leader depended on the South African government. As anti-apartheid leaders called for sanctions, some saw Buthelezi as working with the government. His focus on Zulu interests was also criticized. This led to serious conflicts between Zulu supporters of the IFP and ANC members in KwaZulu-Natal. Even though the IFP was against Apartheid, they disagreed with the ANC on international sanctions. In 1984, Buthelezi met with US President Ronald Reagan. He argued that sanctions were hurting black South African workers.

Buthelezi worked with the South African Defence Force (SADF). He received military training for Zulu groups from SADF special forces. IFP members were involved in some violent events before South Africa's first democratic elections. In November 1993, the IFP made an agreement with another group, saying they would work together.

During the time when South Africa was creating its new constitution, there was often violence between the IFP and the ANC. Both parties tried to campaign in areas where the other party was strong. This often led to resistance and sometimes violence. The IFP also disagreed with parts of the new constitution. They wanted the Zulu king, King Goodwill Zwelethini kaBhekuzulu, to be an independent and sovereign head of state.

Because of their disagreements, the IFP first refused to register for the 1994 election. But when it became clear the election would happen, they registered at the last minute. To get them to join, some changes were made to the constitution. KwaZulu-Natal and other provinces got more powers. The name 'KwaZulu' was added to the province's official name (it was 'Natal' before). Specific ethnic groups in the province were also recognized.

On election day, the IFP showed its strength. They won most of the votes in KwaZulu-Natal.

After Apartheid

After Apartheid ended in 1994, the IFP formed a government with the ANC. This was a difficult partnership, but it lasted until 2004. After that, the IFP moved to the opposition benches.

The rivalry between the ANC and IFP has been strong since 1993. This rivalry has sometimes involved political violence. The IFP's goals include solving South African problems like the AIDS crisis. They also want to deal with unemployment, crime, poverty, and corruption. They aim to prevent one party from becoming too powerful.

Decline in Support

In 1994, the IFP won a lot of support in KwaZulu Natal.

After the 1994 elections, the IFP's support slowly decreased. They lost control of the KwaZulu-Natal province to the ANC after the 2004 election. Their support in Northern KwaZulu-Natal, which was their strong area, also started to shrink. Some important members left the party to form new parties.

After the 2009 elections, party members discussed changing leaders. Buthelezi had said he would retire but then changed his mind. Another senior IFP politician, Zanele kaMagwaza-Msibi, wanted Buthelezi to step down. She later left the party and started a new one, the National Freedom Party (NFP). The NFP gained support, mostly from people who used to vote for the IFP.

In the 2014 general elections, the IFP had its lowest support since 1994. They lost their position as the main opposition party in the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature to the Democratic Alliance. Nationally, they lost eight seats in the National Assembly. The NFP also played a part in the IFP's decline.

Buthelezi later said in 2019 that the party lost support because the ANC president, Jacob Zuma, was also from the Zulu tribe. He believed that voters left the IFP because of ethnic reasons.

Coming Back and New Leadership

In the 2016 municipal elections, the IFP's support grew for the first time since 1994. They gained back support in Northern KwaZulu-Natal. Other parties suggested this was because the NFP could not take part in that election. The IFP managed to keep control of the Nkandla Local Municipality, which is where former ANC president Jacob Zuma lives.

In October 2017, Buthelezi announced he would step down as leader at the party's meeting in 2019. The party's council supported Velenkosini Hlabisa, who was the mayor of the Big Five Hlabisa Local Municipality, to become the next leader. The party's support grew in the May 2019 general elections. They won back the title of official opposition in KwaZulu-Natal. Hlabisa became the leader of the opposition in the legislature. Buthelezi confirmed he would step down. Hlabisa was elected president of the IFP at the party's 35th National General Conference in August 2019.

Election Results

National Elections

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Election	Total votes	Share of vote	Seats	+/–	Government
1994	2,058,294	10.54%	43 / 400	–	Government of National Unity
1999	1,371,477	8.58%	34 / 400	9	First Cabinet of Thabo Mbeki
2004	1,088,664	6.97%	28 / 400	6	in opposition
2009	804,260	4.55%	18 / 400	10	in opposition
2014	441,854	2.40%	10 / 400	8	in opposition
2019	588,839	3.38%	14 / 400	4	in opposition
2024	618,207	3.85%	17 / 400	3	0TBA

KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Elections

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Election	Total Votes	Share of vote	Seats	+/–	Provincial Government
1994	1,844,070	50.32	41 / 81	–	Majority government
1999	1,241,522	41.90	34 / 80	7	IFP–DP–ACDP coalition government
2004	1,009,267	36.82	30 / 80	4	IFP–DA coalition government
2009	780,027	22.40	18 / 80	12	official opposition
2014	416,496	10.86	9 / 80	9	in opposition
2019	588,046	16.34	13 / 80	4	official opposition
2024	633,771	18.07	15 / 80	2	0TBA

Municipal Elections

See Also

• Shell House massacre