The Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) celebrated a major milestone on Saturday, marking 50 years since its founding with a rally at the Jabulani Amphitheatre in Soweto, where hundreds of supporters gathered under the banner “Celebrate 50 Years of Resilience, Service, and Integrity.”
The event, filled with music, traditional dance, and speeches, reflected on the party’s half-century journey from its roots in the KwaZulu homeland to its growing national footprint.
Founded on 21 March 1975 in KwaNzimela, Melmoth, by the late Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi, the IFP has endured some of South Africa’s most turbulent political chapters — from apartheid-era repression to post-1994 democratic contestation.
The party’s leadership used the anniversary to honour Buthelezi’s legacy and reaffirm its commitment to ethical leadership, community development, and service delivery.
IFP Gauteng Chairperson Bonginkosi Dhlamini said the anniversary is not only a time for reflection but also for renewed mobilisation as the party sets its sights on the 2026 Local Government Elections.
“The IFP has stood the test of time. We are a party of integrity and service. Today’s celebration is about honouring our founder, Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi, and recommitting ourselves to building on his legacy under the leadership of President Velenkosini Hlabisa,” said Dhlamini.
He added that the IFP is making steady gains in Gauteng, traditionally a stronghold of the ANC, noting that growing dissatisfaction with governance in major municipalities has opened political space for the party.
“The people of Gauteng are beginning to see that the IFP is a credible alternative — a party that delivers and listens. We are consolidating our support in this province ahead of 2026,” Dhlamini said.
The IFP, which has seen a resurgence in recent years, particularly in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng, has positioned itself as a party of stability and accountability. Its leadership believes that consistent performance in municipalities such as Zululand and Ulundi, where it governs, demonstrates its capability to manage resources efficiently.
Party President Velenkosini Hlabisa, who succeeded Buthelezi in 2019, has emphasised that the IFP’s next chapter will focus on generational renewal while staying true to its founding principles.
“We are building a party for the future — one rooted in integrity, discipline, and service. Our next 50 years must be about youth empowerment, jobs, and the restoration of ethical governance,” Hlabisa said in a statement ahead of the anniversary.
The anniversary comes at a critical moment in South Africa’s political landscape, with coalition governments reshaping local governance and voter frustration growing over corruption and service delivery failures.
Political analysts note that the IFP’s strategy to expand in urban areas, particularly Gauteng, could position it as a key player in future coalition negotiations.
As the crowd in Jabulani sang liberation songs and waved party flags, the sense of both nostalgia and renewal was palpable. Supporters expressed pride in the IFP’s history and optimism for its future.
“We are here to honour our movement and to show that the IFP is still strong — stronger than ever,” said Soweto resident and long-time member Nontobeko Mthethwa.
The celebrations will continue across the country in the coming weeks, culminating in a national rally in KwaZulu-Natal later this year.