IFP elections may be deferred

2010-07-06 17:38

Durban - The IFP was likely to defer its leadership elections scheduled for July 23 because of serious ructions in the party, analysts said on Tuesday.

"The conference is likely to be deferred because the issue of succession has not been dealt with and also because of serious divisions," said political analyst Dr Somadoda Fikeni.

The contest for the IFP presidency between the party’s secretary Musa Zondi and the national chairperson, Magwaza-Msibi was so intense that it had the potential to turn the conference into chaos, he said.

IFP leader Mangosuthu Buthelezi has summoned all IFP structures to Ulundi this weekend to discus the issue of tensions in the party ahead of the conference.

Some IFP members concur with Fikeni that a decision is likely be taken at the weekend for the conference to be made non-elective, thus allowing Buthelezi to continue as a leader to avoid divisions ahead of the local elections.

The IFP national council has already urged Buthelezi to remain the "unifying leader of the IFP and to ensure a smooth and democratic succession transition when the time is ripe".

The call for Buthelezi to continue showed that the party could not survive without him, said another political analyst, Zakhele Ndlovu.

Buthelezi has held the position since the 1970s, when the party was formed.

"Buthelezi announced that he wanted to retire in 2004 and 2005, but he was asked to continue. Again he is being asked to continue," Ndlovu said.

He said neither Magwaza-Msibi nor Zondi had suitable qualities to lead the IFP.

"Zondi is not a charismatic leader. The IFP is struggling in terms of support and it needs a charismatic leader who will change the situation around," said Ndlovu.

Magwaza-Msibi was a charismatic leader, but was a woman and traditionalists had already expressed fear of being led by a woman.

"I don’t think the IFP is ready to have a female leader," he said.

Divisions

Buthelezi recently said ructions in the party had made it difficult for him to decide whether to accept the national council's request to stay on.

Fikeni said divisions in the IFP would continue, even if the conference was deferred, as long as the issue of succession was dealt with.

They would also continue if the party was not repositioned to attract voters, he said.

"Buthelezi should be given an honorary position and be allowed to play an important role in the succession. Swapo of Namibia did the same thing to Sam Nujoma," said Fikeni.

It was important that the IFP urgently deal with the issue of leadership so it could start attracting voters.

"President Jacob Zuma's popularity in KwaZulu-Natal is a major problem for the IFP. The IFP used to be popular among Zulu speaking people because it portrayed itself as the custodian of the Zulu culture," he said.

Zuma’s popularity among Zulu speaking people was a major threat to the IFP, he said.

Ndlovu said the IFP was likely to split if Buthelezi did not continue as the president.

"The split is likely to happen if Buthelezi decides not to stand for re-election. Buthelezi does not want to see this happening in his party." Ndlovu said.

- SAPA