Lungani Zungu
With the passing of its leader, Zanele KaMagwaza-Msibi, as well as the infighting and dwindling votes, one could be forgiven for already penning the obituary of the National Freedom Party (NFP).
When the late Zanele KaMagwaza-Msibi launched the party in 2011 after walking away from the IFP, she bagged more than 600,000 votes in local government elections – this number dipped to 60,000 during the national general elections in 2019.
A big chunk of her votes came from the former IFP members who followed her when she formed the party.
KaMagwaza-Msibi, who died last month, caused a headache for the IFP after the NFP formed coalitions with the ANC and pushed her former party out of control in many municipalities in KZN in 2011.
As a reward, then president Jacob Zuma appointed her deputy minister of science and technology in 2014 – a position she held until 2019.
In 2014, the NFP won six seats in the National Party, a major achievement for such a young party.
But 11 years later in 2021, the NFP is facing a devastating change of fortune, especially with KaMagwaza-Msibi now deceased and the party lurching from one crisis to the next.
NFP deputy president Jeremiah Mavundla said the party, which has just two seats in the National Assembly from six in 2014, would surprise many at the polls.
“We are regrouping and regaining our lost terrain. Many people who have written our obituary are in for a big surprise,” he said.
He said the party would go all out to win the Zululand District Municipality where KaMagwaza-Msibi served as mayor for 16 years.
“We will honour our late leader by winning the Zululand municipality,” said Mavundla.
While claims coming from the party that KaMagwaza-Msibi’s daughter, Gugu Gumede, is eyeing the position of party leader, Mavundla said they are focusing on the election campaign for now.
“We will talk about the succession debate after we’re done with the election,” he said.
There is a lot at stake for the party. Their performance in the November local elections may very well decide the NFP’s fate.
Image source: Twitter
