The Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) is taking its campaign to the heart of KwaZulu-Natal, with party president Velenkosini Hlabisa set to lead a series of rallies ahead of the November 4 local government elections.
The campaign drive follows the party’s engagements in Johannesburg, where Hlabisa visited Kliptown in Soweto earlier this week and spoke to the media about poor living conditions and immigration.
During the Kliptown visit, Hlabisa criticised the conditions facing residents, saying the area should be developed to match more affluent parts of Johannesburg.
“This place should be at the level of Sandton, if not better,” he said.
His remarks came amid complaints about service delivery challenges, including water and electricity shortages and flooding during heavy rains.
Hlabisa also addressed the issue of asylum seekers and employment opportunities, arguing that people seeking jobs should not use the asylum process as a means of entering South Africa.
“Someone who is looking for a job is not an asylum seeker,” he said.
He argued that asylum seekers should be people fleeing conflict in their home countries, citing Mozambique and Zimbabwe as examples.
“An asylum seeker should be someone from Mozambique, from Zimbabwe or any neighbouring country, who is running away for reasons of war,” Hlabisa said.
The IFP is now shifting its campaign focus to KwaZulu-Natal, where Hlabisa is expected to address rallies in Mzumbe, uMhlathuze and Nquthu from Friday to Sunday.
The party says the engagements will provide an opportunity to present its Five-Point Manifesto, mobilise candidates and volunteers, and outline its plans for responsive and accountable local government.
The first rally will take place at eNkanini Sport Complex in Mzumbe on Friday, October 23, at 9am.
Hlabisa will then address the uMhlathuze constituency rally at eSikhawini Stadium on Saturday, October 24, at 8am, before concluding the campaign engagements at Nquthu Stadium on Sunday, October 25, at 9am.
The IFP says its campaign is focused on improving service delivery, promoting transparency and strengthening local governance.
The local government elections are scheduled for November 4, 2026.
