Traditional leaders voice support for IFP in Eastern Cape

Dr Ntsizakalo Ngalo, head of the IFP’s interim provincial structure in the Eastern Cape with the IFP's NEC member Thulasizwe Buthelezi at the strategic engagement this week.

More than 20 traditional leaders in the Eastern Cape have openly praised the leadership of the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), attributing their growing support to the party’s regard for traditional leadership in KwaZulu-Natal.

The sentiments emerged during an engagement between Eastern Cape traditional leaders and KwaZulu-Natal Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) MEC  Thulasizwe Buthelezi at Mzamba on Wednesday.

The meeting, held under the Winnie Madikizela-Mandela sub-region, provided a platform for amakhosi to raise their concerns and reflect on the relationship between traditional leadership and government.

Traditional leaders under the AmaMpondo royal house of Qaukeni, led by the Sigcau royal family, commended Buthelezi for his efforts to advance community development while ensuring that traditional leaders receive institutional support and recognition.

Inkosi Njingalwazi Sigcau expressed frustration over what he described as a lack of engagement from their own provincial Cogta leadership, specifically MEC Zolile Williams.

“Since we took office, we have never sat down with our MEC, Zolile Williams. We do not even know him by face. It seems to us that he prioritises Cogta over us as traditional leaders,” Sigcau said.

Sigcau added that the amakhosi would welcome Buthelezi’s leadership in their province if inter-provincial transfers of officials were possible.

“If leaders could be borrowed to serve in another province, we would borrow you,” Sigcau told Buthelezi. “However, we could only borrow you in your capacity as a pastor, not as an MEC, because that is not possible. As traditional leaders, we need to work with you. That is why we must vote for the Inkatha Freedom Party so that it can govern here in our province.”

The engagement formed part of the IFP’s campaign to expand its footprint in the Eastern Cape, particularly across municipalities within the Alfred Nzo District Municipality, including Mbizana.

Buthelezi attended as a representative of IFP president Velenkosini Hlabisa, tasked with hearing the grievances of traditional leaders in the area.

He was welcomed by Dr Ntsizakalo Ngalo, head of the IFP’s interim provincial structure in the Eastern Cape and the party’s mayoral candidate for the Mbizana Local Municipality. More than 70 local IFP candidates also attended to present their community service pledges ahead of the municipal elections.

Ngalo, a former ANC member of over 40 years, thanked the IFP national leadership for backing the party's Eastern Cape structures despite the province’s historical association with the ANC.

Speaking to the Sunday Tribune, Buthelezi said he was encouraged by the amakhosi's willingness to engage openly with the IFP.

“Amakhosi from the Eastern Cape have realised that the IFP is the only party in South Africa that has a credible plan,” Buthelezi said, adding that their support validates the party's manifesto commitment to integrating traditional leaders into local economic development and service delivery.

Ngalo claimed several other traditional leaders had privately pledged support for the IFP but remained cautious about declaring it publicly due to ties with the provincial administration under Premier Oscar Mabuyane. He urged all traditional leaders to exercise their constitutional right to vote freely.

Ngalo is contesting the Mbizana mayoral race against former Eastern Cape Public Works MEC Babalo Madikizela, who serves on the ANC’s national executive committee.