MEMBERS of the IFP are now free to wear t-shirts with the face of the party’s leader, Mr. Velenkosini Hlabisa. This step was agreed upon at the IFP National Council meeting, which was held in Mpangeni, on Sunday.
In this meeting, it was also revealed that the party’s leadership selection conference will be held next year. It is a country found out from its sources that members of the group were given permission to wear t-shirts with Hlabisa’s face.
Previously, members of the group were allowed to wear t-shirts of the founder of the group, King Mangosuthu Buthelezi. Another source revealed that the party’s leadership selection conference will be held next year.
IFP spokesperson, Mr. Mkhuleko Hlengwa, confirmed that the IFP leadership conference at the national and provincial level will be held in March. He said they have decided that all the conferences will be held next year so that the election campaign will not be interrupted.
The IFP last held a party leadership conference in 2019, when Buthelezi handed over the reins to Hlabisa. Hlengwa did not answer questions about the use of Hlabisa’s face on t-shirts.
The IFP leader, who asked that his name not be disclosed, said he was happy like a child when the National Assembly agreed that t-shirts with Hlabisa’s face could be put on them.
“I was wondering why they don’t wear t-shirts with the face of an old person because he is the leader of the party. I am very happy when the national council says that we can wear t-shirts. Bulawayo was chosen from the heavens, look how the IFP is growing. It means that he entered the position in the right way. He was given to him by the owner of the party.”
He said: “He has continued to welcome new members. Under his leadership we have ministers and deputy ministers in the national government. Here in KwaZulu-Natal we are the ones who run the government. He made me happy like a little child.”
The leader said he had already started wearing a t-shirt with Hlabisa’s face on it.
“This t-shirt thing is harassing. Then I just wear it. When you go to a Nkatha meeting, you are looked at with a different eye. They were wary as if someone from the MKP or the ANC was coming in. I walk freely, and I am still wearing it.”
Continuing, he said that he does not see the need for a leadership conference.
“What are we chasing? I’m not saying it doesn’t exist. But I say that the conference should not take place if we feel that the one who is there is rocking the ship. According to the law, a big person should say that he is getting weak.”
He also urged members of the group to support Hlabisa.
“All of us should support Bulawayo to take the IFP forward.”