IFP members have frowned upon the idea of the party potentially “working together” with the ANC, despite it being one of Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi’s last wishes.
That comes after deputy president Paul Mashatile challenged both parties to honour that wish when he visited Kwa-Phindangene royal residence on Tuesday evening and indicated that they will start those talks after the funeral.
However, that received a largely negative response from the hundreds of IFP supporters who had gathered for Buthelezi’s memorial service at Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi regional stadium in Ulundi on Wednesday. Supporters who spoke to TimesLIVE Premium questioned why the ANC had not responded positively to this before Buthelezi’s demise.
Zimele Shange from Inkandla said it would’ve been a nice gesture if the ANC had done it in the many opportunities they had while he was still alive, but now he was uncertain about the sincerity of the ANC.
“We understand that everyone makes mistakes so we wouldn’t close doors on anyone, but the problem is that common sense does not indicate that ANC is trustworthy. Even when Buthelezi proposed this they did not refuse, but when it came the time to make it happen they dragged their feet so I don’t trust them.”
Khonazinhle Buthelezi from Ulundi said she may have adjusted to the decision if it happened while the IFP founder was still alive.
“They should’ve discussed and reached the agreement while he was still alive to answer for himself whatever misgivings we might feel, so we won’t welcome that now.”
“We respect that it was uMtwana’s wish, but without him to guide and direct any agreement with the ANC, I can’t welcome it, and that is not because I don’t trust the current leadership. I trust them, but it was Shenge’s wish and the ANC let him pass on without realising it, so I think it’s too late now.”
Mkhuliseni Phakathwayo from Eshowe said he doesn’t want the IFP involved in any way with the ANC unless it is to work together to tell the “correct story” of the black-on-black violence between members of the two parties from the 1970s to the early 1990s.
“The only thing we would welcome to work with the ANC on, is to correct the story of the violence that killed 20,000 people, other than that we don’t want anything to do with them. Why did they wait until he’s gone to come out and say ‘let’s honour his wish?’ We’ve seen enough of them in the 30 years they’ve been leading the country, we don’t want to be involved with them in any way.”
That violence between members of the two parties looks to be the main source of the mistrust between the parties.
Velenkosini Hlabisa referred to it, saying Buthelezi was vilified and his party became a “target” of the ANC’s war when they refused to engage in the armed struggle.
When Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi refused to embrace the armed struggle and international sanctions and disinvestment, he was vilified by the ANC. Inkatha found itself a target of the ANC’s People’s War, in which some 20,000 lives were lost to black-on-black violence.
“When Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi refused to embrace the armed struggle and international sanctions and disinvestment, he was vilified by the ANC. Inkatha found itself a target of the ANC’s People’s War, in which some 20,000 lives were lost to black-on-black violence.”
Sanele Zondo, IFP Youth Brigade chairperson, said they were also against that call. He said the ANC was not genuine about that reconciliation because it would require them to admit to their part in the violence and “correct” the history surrounding that period.
“We do wish to honour the prince’s wishes to correct history, but that will disadvantage the ANC because they would have to admit that they betrayed and vilified Shenge, which led to a loss of many lives.”
“We think it was just a way to score political points by looking like they feel our pain from the situation we’re faced with, but the truth is the ANC doesn’t want that and they never will.”
Zondo said they can never work with the ANC unless they were to get back to their founding principles, which he said he doesn’t see happening in this generation.
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