‘Silent conflict’ — the factions jockeying for IFP leadership roles

KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli not only has to contend with concerns about  keeping his job – because of the slim majority his coalition government holds – he also has to keep an eye on the simmering leadership tensions in the IFP.

Noises about a leadership shake-up in the 49-year-old party have continued after the death of founder Mangosuthu Buthe­lezi in September 2023.

IFP president Velenkosini Hlabisa, the minister of cooperative governance and traditional affairs in the government of national unity, succeeded Buthelezi in 2019. Hlabisa had a strong endorsement from Buthelezi, who used his considerable influence to silence any challengers.

Professor Musa Xulu, a retired academic, told Daily Maverick it was an open secret that the IFP was divided between the hawks, who favour Ntuli’s elevation; the doves, who want the status quo to remain for the foreseeable future; and those in the middle ground, who favour neither side. The last warn that factionalism and jockeying for positions will reduce the IFP in the same way it did the ANC.

The middle-grounders, led by Musa Zondi, the former IFP secretary-general and now MEC for economic development, tourism and environmental affairs, have been trying to negotiate a truce to avoid a bloody contest that will leave the party in tatters. This entails that Hlabisa remains at the helm of the IFP, while Ntuli remains the premier and provincial chairperson.

It is not clear whether this deal will be struck and if all parties will stick to it until the next conference.

“It must be remembered that leaders in the IFP during the time of Buthelezi were seldom elected. Even [most of] the current ones… were literally pointed out by the founder. They may struggle going forward, trying to introduce democracy which was never there.

“Whatever the outcomes of the silent conflict, I cannot see them joining the MK party. All IFP factions remain loyal to the late founder and the relationship between Buthelezi and [MK party leader Jacob] Zuma was very strained, if not bitter,” Xulu said.

“In my opinion, MK is more likely to join hands with the ANC sometime in the future than with the IFP.” DM

This story first appeared in our weekly Daily Maverick 168 newspaper, which is available countrywide for R35.