By Celani Sikhakhane
Albert Mncwango, the veteran IFP politician and former mayor of Nongoma in KwaZulu-Natal, claims he rejected Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi’s offer to become the party’s president when the IFP founder approached him to lead the party.
Speaking at an IFP rally in Nongoma on Sunday, Mncwango warned that any leader who wanted to challenge Velenkosini Hlabisa, the party’s president, needs to be seen as an enemy of the party.
“Prince Buthelezi spent the whole year doing consultations to ask who should take over the leadership role from him. He came to me and asked if I could lead the IFP. I said, no way, I can’t,” said Mncwango.
“He went to others, and they also rejected him until it was agreed that president Velenkosini Hlabisa was more capable of taking over from him.
“So anyone who comes out and undermines Hlabisa should be treated as an enemy of the party.”
He said Buthelezi worked hard in his last days to prepare for the IFP’s successful survival without him at the helm.
The IFP managed to calm factional politics that emerged before Buthelezi’s death in September last year at the age of 95.
Divisions existed between Hlabisa and King Cetshwayo district mayor Thami Ntuli, which led to Hlabisa’s expulsion from the party by a group of mayors who colluded with Ntuli. Buthelezi, however, soon returned Hlabisi to his position in June 2023.
On Sunday, Hlabisa reminded party members that he is now in charge and that they must follow him as Buthelezi instructed.
Pictured above: The IFP former mayor of Nongoma local municipality Albert Mncwango.
Image source: X
