By Celani Sikhakhane
- The IFP won Ward 17 in Nongoma with 1,113 votes in the 25 February 2026 by-election, pushing the National Freedom Party down to 192 votes.
- The National Freedom Party’s support in the ward crashed from 45 percent in 2021 to just 12 percent, while the IFP surged to 59 percent.
The Inkatha Freedom Party has dealt a heavy blow to the National Freedom Party by winning its former stronghold of Ward 17 in Nongoma.
The by-election took place on 25 February 2026. It was held after an NFP councillor resigned from the Nongoma Local Municipality.
The NFP had comfortably won the ward in the 2021 local government elections with 45 percent of the vote. This time, the party managed only 12 percent.
The IFP increased its support from 41 percent in 2021 to 59 percent. In total, it received 1,113 votes.
The uMkhonto Wesizwe Party got 288 votes. The NFP received 192 votes. The African National Congress got 137 votes. The Economic Freedom Fighters received two percent, up from one percent in 2021.
IFP national spokesperson Mkhuleko Hlengwa said the party was grateful for the support.
“The IFP secured a decisive victory with 1113 votes, reaffirming the Party’s strong presence and enduring support in the area.
“By reclaiming Ward 17 from the National Freedom Party, the IFP has strengthened its position in the Nongoma Local Municipality and moved closer to achieving stable and effective governance for the people of Nongoma. This marks the third ward won by the IFP in recent by-elections across KwaZulu-Natal since December, reflecting growing public confidence in the Party’s leadership and vision,” said Hlengwa.
Hlengwa said the IFP now holds 21 seats in the Nongoma Local Municipality. It leads the municipality through a coalition with the Economic Freedom Fighters, which has two seats, and the National African People’s Front, which has one seat.
The NFP’s defeat comes amid serious infighting in the party. Its leaders have publicly attacked each other.
The divisions were visible during the commemoration of the late founder Zanele VZ kaMagwaza-Msibi in Ulundi on her birthday.
NFP president Ivan Barnes did not attend the event. Zandile Myeni, who is the Deputy Mayor of the City of eThekwini and an NFP member, also stayed away.
Sources said Myeni did not provide transport for eThekwini members to travel to Ulundi. Instead, she attended the Amarula First Fruit Ceremony in kaNgwanase under Inkosi Mabhudu Tembe in uMkhanyakude District Municipality in northern KwaZulu-Natal.
The uMkhonto Wesizwe Party had hoped to win the ward after several NFP councillors resigned and joined it at a rally addressed by former president Jacob Zuma.
But it was the IFP that walked away with a clear victory and tightened its grip on Nongoma.
Pictured above: NFP lost their stronghold ward 17 in Nongoma to the IFP on Wednesday in a highly contested by-election.
Image source:NFPImage source: NFP
