They also launched what is called Project120+.
This was revealed today during press brief at the Gauteng Legislature by the party’s national head honchos, were it also addressed what is called “State of the Unseen”.
IFP in Gauteng has identified the following as key points as part of preparing for elections: fostering relations with community members- especially hostels- highlight projects undertaken by the provincial and local leadership over the last four years and socio economic conditions which would make the party credible electoral opponent.
“This forms part of our broader approach towards the elections and also to increase our support and branches in GP to over 5%,” says IFP Member of Provincial Legislature Bonginkosi Dhlamini.
“The Project120+ is an internal campaign which seeks to ensure that we speak to the people of Gauteng and citizens about the plight of informal settlements like hostel residents through empirical data and solutions,” says Dhlamini.
There’s a notion that IFP only resurfaces when elections approach something the party leaders, whom some came from the National Parliament, did not agree with.
“We’ve heard such reports and as such we pour cold water to such assertions, says Nonhlanhla Makhubo, IFP Women’s Brigade senior member.
On gender issue the party claims it has more women representative than the ruling party ANC, and it is active, contrary to reports that both the Women and Youth Brigades are non-existence. It went on to note that the presence of women is evident in community projects such as the ‘Ubuhlebuyeza’ amongst others.
“That’s how effective we’re,” says Mama Constance Zikalala, one of the senior’s in the party.
On the Youth Brigade, no definite answer was given suffice to say its mandate will be to mobilize 500 youth’s ahead of elections as volunteers.
“To our surprise we’ve had more youth interest from TUT (Pta) and Durban Mangosuthu Buthelezi Tech. This is indicative of our strategy to involve and engage with our future leaders,” continued Dhlamini.
On a sour note, the party emphasized that the working relationship with the public broadcaster is at its lowest-ebb but working hard to mend that.
In the past the party complaint bitterly that SABC did not give them coverage, which did not go down well with the hierarchy within the party.
“Yes, I can confirm our relationship is at its lowest level particularly on the TV side, whereas radio is trying hard to afford us space,” says Dhlamini, who also pointed out that one senior member was fired for giving us publicity.
On the prolonged leadership of IFP leader Dr Mangosuthu Buthelezi, the head honchos in unison said, their leader is still strong and participates in major structures of the party.
“He’s the founder of the party therefore, how should he be removed just like that?”They asked.
“Yes, we want votes, but we also desire to the wellbeing of our people to be at the center of our political existence,” they remarked.
In the closing remarks, the party has also vowed to work in tandem with the media.
The press brief ended with the tour to hostels.
