ANC WELCOMES HUNDREDS OF IFP AND NFP MEMBERS IN NONGOMA

11 August 2013

In a clear sign that the African National Congress (ANC) in KwaZulu-Natal is gaining dominant presence in every corner of the province, the ANC today welcomed more than 700 new members from two rival political parties in Nongoma.

The Nongoma area has long been seen as the last outpost of the Inkatha
Freedom Party (IFP) and out of reach for the ANC but this perception is changing rapidly. The ANC is winning the hearts and minds of the local people and is now on course to emerge as the dominant force in the area at the next election.

Not even the formation of the National Freedom Party (NFP) prior to the 2011 local government elections has made a dent on the ANC's fortunes which continue to grow on the strength of the ruling party's strong record of service delivery in the provincial government and in municipalities.

Among the men and women whom the ANC welcomed into its fold today are some senior politicians who had been deployed in crucial positions by the IFP. Indeed Nongoma will never be the same again as the ANC expects more people to follow suit in the next few weeks.

IFP Ward 10 councillor at Nongoma Municipality and the IFP constituency chairperson in Nongoma, Cde Thami Nyembe,  IFP  ward 11 councillor in Nongoma Municipality and IFP constituency secretary in Nongoma, Cde Nhlanhla Mthembu, IFP ward 5 councillor inNongoma Municipality and IFP additional member in the Nongoma constituency, Cde Sithembiso Gumbi and IFP Youth Brigade chairperson in Nongoma constituency, Cde Sithembiso Mdiniso were among those who were welcomed today together with more than 700 ordinary members. Muzi Ndwandwe, former NFP candidate for ward 11 in Nongoma Municipality was one of the NFP members we welcomed today.

The ANC is impressed with the levels of political maturity that exist in Nongoma today. We remember vividly that when the ANC campaigned in Nongoma during past elections, our members were attacked by people who felt threatened by our presence in their backyards. This situation has now changed.

The change of the political landscape in Nongoma will make it easier for the
ANC to work with the local communities to ensure the delivery of basic services and a better life for all. The days when the IFP and later the NFP deliberately hinder the development in areas like Nongoma are over.

ANC provincial chairperson, Cde Senzo Mchunu described the welcoming of hundreds of new members as a huge achievement for the ANC. He told the new members that the ANC was a democratic organisation that valued the views of each and every member and stressed the importance of unity, democracy, non-racial and non-sexism principles which is sacrosanct in our organisation.

Picture 1: IFP Ward 10 councillor at Nongoma Municipality and the IFP constituency chairperson in Nongoma, Cde Thami Nyembe welcomed to the ANC by the provincial chairperson, Senzo Mchunu and ANC deputy chairperson, Willies Mchunu in Nongoma on Sunday.

Picture 2: IFP ward 11 councillor in Nongoma Municipality and IFP constituency secretary in Nongoma, Cde Nhlanhla Mthembu Nyembe welcomed to the ANC by the provincial chairperson, Senzo Mchunu and ANC deputy chairperson, Willies Mchunu in Nongoma on Sunday.

Statement issued by Sihle Zikalala, ANC KwaZulu-Natal, August 11 2013

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