A few days before the May 2014 elections, as our campaign drew to a close,
the leadership of the IFP boarded a bus and began to travel together from
place to place urging people to cast their vote. We set ourselves a
formidable schedule, for we wanted to see as many people in as many places
as possible. But everywhere we went, people wanted more time with the IFP.
Consequently, we often found ourselves behind schedule.

That was the case when we arrived in Abaqulusi, late at night. People had
been waiting to see us, but the delay proved too long. I was severely
disappointed that, by the time we arrived, our meeting in Abaqulusi could
not take place. I must apologise, for I know how much we all looked forward
to having time together at that crucial juncture before the election.

My disappointment was compounded when the election results proved that
things were not going as well for the IFP in Abaqulusi as they should have
been. It is a sad fact that when the former Mayor of Zululand, our former
National Chairperson, split the Party in 2011, she took some of our very
good people with her. Since then, whenever our people return to the IFP, I
celebrate, for I know that we are being strengthened.

Many of our supporters in Abaqulusi did not defect. They remained in the IFP
and kept working to restore unity and strength. I have always thanked them
for that. Our work has been successful. But I want to speak for a moment to
these very supporters, for I know that there is a temptation to feel
threatened by those who are returning.

The truth is, we need every good leader and every enthusiastic supporter
that we lost. We need them back in the IFP. So we must welcome those who are
returning, just as we welcome first time members. Indeed, we must celebrate
their return. Let us work together and put the needs of the IFP first.

Perhaps the greatest need in Abaqulusi is the need for strong branches.
Already the IFP's NEC has met with all our councillors to set deadlines for
getting our branches organised and active. This is vital work ahead of the
conferences we need to hold. We need still to have a Women's Brigade
Conference, a Youth Brigade Conference and a Provincial Conference before
the next elections. These things cannot wait until just a few months before
the elections. This work is before us right now.

When I heard that we had many supporters in Vryheid who wished to join the
IFP, I urged our leadership to come here and meet with you, and welcome you
into the Party. However, that did not seem good enough. You are becoming
part of our family today and although we have many in our family who could
welcome you, it seemed right that I come here myself. I wanted to let you
know that you are coming home.

I understand that you are all politically active citizens who are not
waiting for someone to come and fix everything. You have taken the
initiative to seek out a political party through which you can bring change.
I appreciate your maturity, because political parties are indeed the
vehicles through which individuals can make a difference.

But it matters which party you choose.

Every political party has its own character, because of the principles it
adheres to and the values it espouses. Some parties, for instance, see no
problem in keeping people economically dependent on the State. Some believe
that if Government delivers services, people are obliged to vote for those
in Government. Some believe that once you've given them your mandate, they
need never ask your opinion again.

The IFP, like every party, has a unique character, constructed over almost
40 years of serving South Africa's needs. We began with the principles of
self-help and self-reliance, as a response to the Apartheid Government's
negligence, disinterest and oppression. It was a practical response, born
out of the need to see our people survive, thrive and prosper.

Thus Inkatha focussed on imparting skills and connecting people in order to
increase bargaining power, productivity and shared benefits. We engaged the
liberation struggle wholeheartedly, pursuing political enfranchisement and
freedom for all South Africans. But at the same time, we looked to the
social and economic concerns of moment, and dealt with them. Our sights were
on the future, but our work was in the present.

Having worked this way for so many years, self-help and self-reliance became
part of the IFP's character. So when we achieved democracy, and won the
right to vote and the right to influence government, the IFP kept its focus
on meeting the immediate needs. I was a Minister in that first Government
for 10 years. I was part of transforming the full body of our country's
legislation to reflect democracy. But I saw that changing laws did not
automatically change mind sets, or circumstances. More needed to be done.

I am relating this history to you because I want you to understand the
character of the IFP. You are joining a party that believes in empowering
people towards independence. We believe in coming together and making a
difference. We believe in shared effort and individual commitment. We
believe in meeting needs right now. And we believe in integrity.

Members of the IFP family understand these values and embrace them as their
own. Our members are politically active, involved and passionate. They take
initiative in their own communities; because IFP members are living the
character of the IFP. As you join us, I trust that you have made this
decision in your own heart to become part of a team that does justice,
pursues common good and is committed to right action.

The IFP has a remarkable legacy. We have achieved an enormous amount of good
for our country and our people over four decades. And we are determined to
keep building that legacy into the future. We remain the fourth largest
political party in South Africa, despite the political landscape changing
dramatically over the past 20 years. Amongst the political parties, we are
the voice of reason and integrity.

This sets us apart, for politics is becoming a loud sport with little
substance, and that is bad news for governance, bad news for democracy and
for progress. While other parties shout and taunt one another, nothing gets
done. This is why the IFP has risen above the mudslinging match and refused
to become part of it.

It's why we don't shout at the President, but do hold him accountable as the
Head of State. It's why we don't disrespect the Speaker of the National
Assembly, but do point out that the Speaker should never show political
bias. These are issues we raise at a national level. At the provincial,
district and local level, the IFP does the same. With integrity, we bring
reason into every heated argument, drawing the focus back to what matters:
service delivery, good governance and accountability.

When you join the IFP today, you are joining a party that has a long
history, a strong future, and a clear vision of how to get things done. We
have proven what we are capable of and we have proven our character. You
know the IFP. I challenge you to become active, committed members. Today's
meeting is not just to give you a T-shirt and a membership card. We are
entrusting to you the vision of the IFP and asking you to become part of
making it happen.

I realise that some of you may have had difficult experiences in your
previous party. Some of you are returning to the IFP as your former
political home. Others are choosing us for the first time as an alternative
to another party. Whatever your situation, I urge you to let go of
squabbles, criticism and gossip. Leave all that behind, and enter the IFP as
a clean chapter.

We place a high premium on unity, because we know what can be achieved when
people work together, with a shared vision, in harmony. We are not
interested in gossip. We are interested in knitting together as a team and
focussing on what the IFP can do to serve Vryheid, Abaqulusi, Zululand,
KwaZulu Natal and South Africa. Think big, because the IFP is a national
party. Think of the change you can effect through a party like the IFP.

There is much work to be done. There is so much you can get involved in and
even more that you can initiate yourself. It is wonderful to have our
numbers boosted here at this critical time. South Africa has already entered
another election campaign. The 2016 Local Government Elections may be 18
months way, but in politics that is very little time to mobilise support,
increase membership and secure votes.

The IFP has a good reason to campaign for votes in the coming elections,
particularly here in Abaqulusi. Local Government has proven to be our forte,
because the values, skills and accountability that the IFP brings to the
table are perfectly suited to efficient local governance.

You will recall that the IFP administered the local municipality before the
last Local Government Elections. Just before the May 2011 elections,
Abaqulusi was one of the few municipalities in our country to receive an
unqualified audit report from the Auditor General. It was given a clean bill
of health as far as corruption is concerned, and there was no suggestion
that money was being squandered or frittered away. Under the IFP, Abaqulusi
was functioning as a good steward of the money and resources allocated from
provincial government.

After the May 2011 elections, however, this municipality was one of those
taken over by a sudden coalition of our opponents. Your mandate had not
changed; your voice, expressed through the ballot box, was simply
disregarded. The very first audit under this new coalition proved what a
disaster it was for Abaqulusi.

Within the first year, the Municipality's financial statements recorded 15
million Rands worth of Irregular Expenditure. The Auditor General was not
even convinced that this figure reflected the true amount of what had been
misspent. Then there was the R19,1 million of Unauthorised Expenditure, and
the hundreds of thousands of Rands of Fruitless and Wasteful Expenditure.

The Auditor General's Report explained that it could not measure
performance, because no performance targets were ever set. In other words,
from the outset no commitment was made as to when and how promises would be
fulfilled.

That is not the way the IFP does things. We keep our commitments, and we
don't make false promises. Our targets are measurable and we stay
accountable to the people we serve for meeting those targets. That is the
character of the IFP. Clearly we need to get Abaqulusi back under a
leadership that can deliver, and we can do that in the 2016 Local Government
Elections.

I therefore welcome you to start campaigning right off the bat. You have
been drawn to the IFP. There are others who should be part of our team, and
I ask you to go out and speak to them. Tell them why you chose the IFP and
encourage them to join you, so that, together, we can put things right in
Abaqulusi. Let us see meetings like this again and again, as people come to
join a party they can trust; the Party through which we all can make a
difference.

I want to thank you for making this intelligent choice. The IFP welcomes
you. Today, you are coming home.A few days before the May 2014 elections, as our campaign drew to a close,
the leadership of the IFP boarded a bus and began to travel together from
place to place urging people to cast their vote. We set ourselves a
formidable schedule, for we wanted to see as many people in as many places
as possible. But everywhere we went, people wanted more time with the IFP.
Consequently, we often found ourselves behind schedule.

That was the case when we arrived in Abaqulusi, late at night. People had
been waiting to see us, but the delay proved too long. I was severely
disappointed that, by the time we arrived, our meeting in Abaqulusi could
not take place. I must apologise, for I know how much we all looked forward
to having time together at that crucial juncture before the election.

My disappointment was compounded when the election results proved that
things were not going as well for the IFP in Abaqulusi as they should have
been. It is a sad fact that when the former Mayor of Zululand, our former
National Chairperson, split the Party in 2011, she took some of our very
good people with her. Since then, whenever our people return to the IFP, I
celebrate, for I know that we are being strengthened.

Many of our supporters in Abaqulusi did not defect. They remained in the IFP
and kept working to restore unity and strength. I have always thanked them
for that. Our work has been successful. But I want to speak for a moment to
these very supporters, for I know that there is a temptation to feel
threatened by those who are returning.

The truth is, we need every good leader and every enthusiastic supporter
that we lost. We need them back in the IFP. So we must welcome those who are
returning, just as we welcome first time members. Indeed, we must celebrate
their return. Let us work together and put the needs of the IFP first.

Perhaps the greatest need in Abaqulusi is the need for strong branches.
Already the IFP's NEC has met with all our councillors to set deadlines for
getting our branches organised and active. This is vital work ahead of the
conferences we need to hold. We need still to have a Women's Brigade
Conference, a Youth Brigade Conference and a Provincial Conference before
the next elections. These things cannot wait until just a few months before
the elections. This work is before us right now.

When I heard that we had many supporters in Vryheid who wished to join the
IFP, I urged our leadership to come here and meet with you, and welcome you
into the Party. However, that did not seem good enough. You are becoming
part of our family today and although we have many in our family who could
welcome you, it seemed right that I come here myself. I wanted to let you
know that you are coming home.

I understand that you are all politically active citizens who are not
waiting for someone to come and fix everything. You have taken the
initiative to seek out a political party through which you can bring change.
I appreciate your maturity, because political parties are indeed the
vehicles through which individuals can make a difference.

But it matters which party you choose.

Every political party has its own character, because of the principles it
adheres to and the values it espouses. Some parties, for instance, see no
problem in keeping people economically dependent on the State. Some believe
that if Government delivers services, people are obliged to vote for those
in Government. Some believe that once you've given them your mandate, they
need never ask your opinion again.

The IFP, like every party, has a unique character, constructed over almost
40 years of serving South Africa's needs. We began with the principles of
self-help and self-reliance, as a response to the Apartheid Government's
negligence, disinterest and oppression. It was a practical response, born
out of the need to see our people survive, thrive and prosper.

Thus Inkatha focussed on imparting skills and connecting people in order to
increase bargaining power, productivity and shared benefits. We engaged the
liberation struggle wholeheartedly, pursuing political enfranchisement and
freedom for all South Africans. But at the same time, we looked to the
social and economic concerns of moment, and dealt with them. Our sights were
on the future, but our work was in the present.

Having worked this way for so many years, self-help and self-reliance became
part of the IFP's character. So when we achieved democracy, and won the
right to vote and the right to influence government, the IFP kept its focus
on meeting the immediate needs. I was a Minister in that first Government
for 10 years. I was part of transforming the full body of our country's
legislation to reflect democracy. But I saw that changing laws did not
automatically change mind sets, or circumstances. More needed to be done.

I am relating this history to you because I want you to understand the
character of the IFP. You are joining a party that believes in empowering
people towards independence. We believe in coming together and making a
difference. We believe in shared effort and individual commitment. We
believe in meeting needs right now. And we believe in integrity.

Members of the IFP family understand these values and embrace them as their
own. Our members are politically active, involved and passionate. They take
initiative in their own communities; because IFP members are living the
character of the IFP. As you join us, I trust that you have made this
decision in your own heart to become part of a team that does justice,
pursues common good and is committed to right action.

The IFP has a remarkable legacy. We have achieved an enormous amount of good
for our country and our people over four decades. And we are determined to
keep building that legacy into the future. We remain the fourth largest
political party in South Africa, despite the political landscape changing
dramatically over the past 20 years. Amongst the political parties, we are
the voice of reason and integrity.

This sets us apart, for politics is becoming a loud sport with little
substance, and that is bad news for governance, bad news for democracy and
for progress. While other parties shout and taunt one another, nothing gets
done. This is why the IFP has risen above the mudslinging match and refused
to become part of it.

It's why we don't shout at the President, but do hold him accountable as the
Head of State. It's why we don't disrespect the Speaker of the National
Assembly, but do point out that the Speaker should never show political
bias. These are issues we raise at a national level. At the provincial,
district and local level, the IFP does the same. With integrity, we bring
reason into every heated argument, drawing the focus back to what matters:
service delivery, good governance and accountability.

When you join the IFP today, you are joining a party that has a long
history, a strong future, and a clear vision of how to get things done. We
have proven what we are capable of and we have proven our character. You
know the IFP. I challenge you to become active, committed members. Today's
meeting is not just to give you a T-shirt and a membership card. We are
entrusting to you the vision of the IFP and asking you to become part of
making it happen.

I realise that some of you may have had difficult experiences in your
previous party. Some of you are returning to the IFP as your former
political home. Others are choosing us for the first time as an alternative
to another party. Whatever your situation, I urge you to let go of
squabbles, criticism and gossip. Leave all that behind, and enter the IFP as
a clean chapter.

We place a high premium on unity, because we know what can be achieved when
people work together, with a shared vision, in harmony. We are not
interested in gossip. We are interested in knitting together as a team and
focussing on what the IFP can do to serve Vryheid, Abaqulusi, Zululand,
KwaZulu Natal and South Africa. Think big, because the IFP is a national
party. Think of the change you can effect through a party like the IFP.

There is much work to be done. There is so much you can get involved in and
even more that you can initiate yourself. It is wonderful to have our
numbers boosted here at this critical time. South Africa has already entered
another election campaign. The 2016 Local Government Elections may be 18
months way, but in politics that is very little time to mobilise support,
increase membership and secure votes.

The IFP has a good reason to campaign for votes in the coming elections,
particularly here in Abaqulusi. Local Government has proven to be our forte,
because the values, skills and accountability that the IFP brings to the
table are perfectly suited to efficient local governance.

You will recall that the IFP administered the local municipality before the
last Local Government Elections. Just before the May 2011 elections,
Abaqulusi was one of the few municipalities in our country to receive an
unqualified audit report from the Auditor General. It was given a clean bill
of health as far as corruption is concerned, and there was no suggestion
that money was being squandered or frittered away. Under the IFP, Abaqulusi
was functioning as a good steward of the money and resources allocated from
provincial government.

After the May 2011 elections, however, this municipality was one of those
taken over by a sudden coalition of our opponents. Your mandate had not
changed; your voice, expressed through the ballot box, was simply
disregarded. The very first audit under this new coalition proved what a
disaster it was for Abaqulusi.

Within the first year, the Municipality's financial statements recorded 15
million Rands worth of Irregular Expenditure. The Auditor General was not
even convinced that this figure reflected the true amount of what had been
misspent. Then there was the R19,1 million of Unauthorised Expenditure, and
the hundreds of thousands of Rands of Fruitless and Wasteful Expenditure.

The Auditor General's Report explained that it could not measure
performance, because no performance targets were ever set. In other words,
from the outset no commitment was made as to when and how promises would be
fulfilled.

That is not the way the IFP does things. We keep our commitments, and we
don't make false promises. Our targets are measurable and we stay
accountable to the people we serve for meeting those targets. That is the
character of the IFP. Clearly we need to get Abaqulusi back under a
leadership that can deliver, and we can do that in the 2016 Local Government
Elections.

I therefore welcome you to start campaigning right off the bat. You have
been drawn to the IFP. There are others who should be part of our team, and
I ask you to go out and speak to them. Tell them why you chose the IFP and
encourage them to join you, so that, together, we can put things right in
Abaqulusi. Let us see meetings like this again and again, as people come to
join a party they can trust; the Party through which we all can make a
difference.

I want to thank you for making this intelligent choice. The IFP welcomes
you. Today, you are coming home.