The National Freedom Party (NFP), which has been on a downward spiral, has emerged from its death bed to command kingship status in KwaZulu-Natal.
This comes as the NFP has been bleeding electoral support since the tragic passing of party founder Zanele kaMagwaza-Msibi.
When counting of votes began in the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) results centre at Durban’s ICC, the party conceded to Sunday World that it was likely to go home empty-handed.
“The numbers are shocking us. Although we knew that we went to these elections confronted by internal problems, we had high hopes that we would get something from the elections.
Shocking performance in elections
“At least a seat or two in the provincial legislature. Even in our strongholds, mainly in Zululand. In areas such as eDumbe Ulundi and Nongoma. Our numbers are going down,” lamented NFP’s KZN chairperson Mbali Shinga in an interview with Sunday World.
But as the count was nearing an end, things had dramatically changed on the results scoreboard.
The party garnered sufficient votes to have a crucial seat in the provincial legislature. The NFP surpassed well-funded organisations such as ActionSA, Rise Mzansi and other parties. It occupies kingmaker status in deciding who forms government in KwaZulu-Natal.
The NFP is likely to join the IFP, DA and ANC pact to govern the province. If the arrangement sees the light of day, it will mean the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party will be reduced to the opposition benches. This despite the party leading the provincial vote with 37 seats. It is followed by the IFP at 15 seats, while the ANC salvaged 14 seats and the DA retained 11 seats.
Party’s support will come with conditions
Sunday World understands that the NFP’s support of the government of national unity will not be handed on a silver platter. The party wants to be accommodated in the new administration through a provincial cabinet post.
NFP President Irvin Barnes confirmed that the party had not met the DA or the MK party.
“We have only negotiated with parties who invited us to the negotiating table. Our position is clear. We want to be part of a team of mature, capable women and men of integrity,” said Barnes.
The NFP has a history of working with the ANC. And currently in eThekwini metro, the NFP holds a key deputy mayor position. This is also the case in Nongoma local municipality in Zululand district. Here the NFP holds mayorship after being backed by the ANC.
On the other hand, the IFP will hold a media briefing on Wednesday afternoon to reveal who the party has picked to get into bed with in governing KZN. It is believed that IFP provincial chairperson Thami Ntuli has been endorsed by both the DA and the ANC to be premier. This while the two parties will be given key portfolios in the KZN cabinet.
