THE FUSE

By Celani Sikhakhane

• National Freedom Party president Ivan Barnes did not attend the commemoration of founder Zanele kaMagwaza-Msibi in Ulundi, an event organised by the party’s KwaZulu-Natal provincial leaders.
• Ongoing infighting in the National Freedom Party has led to poor by election results and fresh tensions over attempts to remove KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli.

The president of the National Freedom Party did not attend the commemoration of the party’s late founder Zanele kaMagwaza-Msibi.

The event was held on Saturday in Ulundi, northern KwaZulu-Natal, where kaMagwaza-Msibi was born and built her political career.

KaMagwaza-Msibi, affectionately known as VZ, was a former Deputy Minister of Science and Technology. She also served as the longest serving mayor of Zululand District Municipality under the Inkatha Freedom Party before forming the National Freedom Party.

The commemoration was organised by the party’s provincial leadership in KwaZulu-Natal, led by chairperson Mbali Shinga and secretary Esther Zo Mtshali.

National Freedom Party president Ivan Barnes was not present at the event. Scrolla.africa tried to contact Barnes for comment but his phone went to voicemail and he did not respond to WhatsApp messages.

The programme began with a Valentine’s Day celebration. Party leaders handed out red flowers to members of the South African Police Service and members of the public.

But the gathering also exposed deep divisions within the party.

The National Freedom Party has performed poorly in several by elections, including the recent ward 13 by election in Mzumbe on the KwaZulu-Natal south coast.

Barnes has been at loggerheads with provincial leaders. He has tried to remove some from their mayoral positions and from roles in the provincial government.

He has also formed a working relationship with the uMkhonto Wesizwe Party in efforts to remove KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli through a vote of no confidence.

Barnes is also pushing to remove Social Development MEC Mbali Shinga, accusing her of going against the party’s stance on the vote of no confidence.

On 15 December, Shinga won praise from the Government of Provincial Unity after she helped block the uMkhonto Wesizwe Party’s attempt to remove Ntuli.

At the Ulundi event, Siphamandla Ntombela, a former bodyguard of kaMagwaza-Msibi who later became a caucus leader in Zululand District Municipality, said VZ mentored him and shaped him into a strong leader.

The commemoration was meant to honour her life and legacy, but her absence highlighted the political tensions that continue to divide the party she founded.

Pictured above: The National Freedom Party held the commemoration of the life and legacy of their founder Zanele VZ kaMagwaza-Msibi in Ulundi on Saturday

Image source: Supplied