IFP Wants to Be Remembered As Liberation Movement As Party Celebrates 50 Years, SA Doesn’t Agree
- The Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) celebrated 50 years since its founding on 21 March 2025 in KwaNzimela in Melmoth
- Party leader Velenkosini Hlabisa said the party wants to be remembered for being a liberation movement
- South Africans criticised the IFP, saying that the party did more to aid Apartheid than it did to end it
Source: Getty Images
Briefly News journalist Byron Pillay has dedicated a decade to reporting on the South African political landscape, crime, and social issues. He spent ten years working for the Northern Natal Courier before transitioning to online journalism
KWAZULU-NATAL - The Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) wants to be celebrated as one of South Africa's liberation movements.
That's how the party wants to be remembered as it celebrated 50 years on 21 March 1975.
The party was formed by Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi in Melmoth, northern KwaZulu-Natal in 1975.
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Source: Getty Images
Party formed to fight against Apartheid
During the celebrations in KwaNzimela in Melmoth, on 21 March, party leader Velenkosini Hlabisa stated how the party was established to fight for the people during Apartheid. He added that the party aimed to fight for human rights, something they wanted to be remembered for.
"Our movement was never about power for its own sake, but it was for the people, their dignity and their rightful place in a free society.”
Hlabisa added that the IFP played a significant role that led to the country's first democratic elections in 1994.
"The IFP was a crucial participant in the negotiations that led to the first democratic election, ensuring that all voices were heard," he added.
IFP loses support in KZN
The party has remained one of South Africa's major political players and was a powerhouse in KZN. They did lose support in the May 2024 elections as the uMkhonto weSizwe Party surprised everyone.
The IFP did gain control of KZN through a coalition with the African National Congress and Democratic Alliance, and Thami Ntuli was then sworn in as Premier.
South Africans disagree with Hlabisa's statement
Social media users did not take kindly to the IFP leader's statement, arguing that the party did more harm than good during Apartheid.
Leonard Phekani said:
"You forgot what you did during Apartheid."
Sikheto Errow Minyami added:
"They have too much blood on their hands by trying to prevent liberation."
Rorisang Blessedkidd Ndou asked:
"Which people did they liberate? There's no liberation movement at the IFP to be celebrated."
Thulani Ncayiyana stated:
"Apartheid collaborators period."
Ntshebele Mmaswi Bapela asked:
"Liberation movement? Please help me understand how IFP is being called a liberation movement."
Radebe Wa Azania stated:
"They colluded with the enemy to kill blacks in South Africa, then they expect to be the liberation movement."
Griffin Magalasi Botha II added:
"Many black people died at their hands. So, which people did they actually liberate."
Thokozani Dlamini stated:
"The only party that is happy with the VAT increase."
IFP wants to be celebrated for its role in ending Apartheid
Briefly News reported that this is not the first time that the party stated that it wanted to be remembered as an architect of South Africa’s democracy.
On Monday, 27 January, the party officially launched its 50th-anniversary celebration programme, highlighting their contributions to democracy.
South Africans laughed at the party's statement, criticising their role during Apartheid, saying that they didn't fight against it as claimed.
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Source: Briefly News
