In an unexpected turn of events, the IFP provincial chairperson, Thami Ntuli, has said he will not be available to contest for a higher position in the party’s upcoming elective conference.
The IFP is set to hold its conference early next year. The party held a media briefing yesterday, where it provided an update on the state of the Government of Provincial Unity (GPU) in KwaZulu-Natal and its plans to contest the 2026 local government elections.
Ntuli is also the premier under the GPU which is led by the IFP, together with the DA, ANC, and the NFP.
Political analyst Thabani Khumalo said that Ntuli’s action could indicate that he realised that he has more power in the province than he would have at the national level.
Responding to questions about whether branches can nominate him, Ntuli said: “I am not available for any nomination. What I know currently is that we have the president, deputy president, the NEC, and we have structures of the IFP. I think I cannot respond more than that.”
He detailed the IFP’s plans aimed at ensuring the party wins control of municipalities in the upcoming 2026 local government elections.
He expressed confidence, stating they are not worried about the uMkhonto weSizwe Party, which claimed a lion’s share of the vote in the general elections early this year.
Ntuli expressed satisfaction with the party’s performance in the recent municipal by-elections, adding that they will build on that success. He noted that the IFP in KZN remains on an upward trajectory, having grown from only two IFP-governed municipalities in 2011 to now leading in more than 25 municipalities across the province.
“The party’s strength and stability were quite evident in last week’s by-election at Inkosi Mtubatuba Municipality. The overwhelming victory in Ward 16, where the IFP’s candidate, councillor Senzo Erick Mkhize, secured more than 1 500 votes (53.04%) of the valid votes cast), is a testament to our unwavering support and relevance,” he said.
Ntuli mentioned that the IFP has already started preparations for the 2026 Local Government Elections.
“Last month, we held a two-day strategic planning session here in Durban to chart the way forward. Key leaders, including the party’s president honourable VF Hlabisa and deputy president Inkosi Mzamo Buthelezi, shared invaluable insights and strategies with delegates.
Ntuli said the provincial strategic workshop resolved on important resolutions seeking to advance the commitments made to the people of the province through the party manifesto.
“Among the important resolutions was to strengthen our branches in all voting districts to ensure that where we do not have structures, we maintain a strong presence and engagement with the people,” he said.
He said the party has more than 1 500 viable branches and over 3 000 branches that are actively being organised.
Political analyst Khumalo remarked if you are a leader of the IFP in the province, you are essentially the president of the party, as you lead the largest group of its supporters.
“That could be why Ntuli is making this indication; a few months ago, it was clear that he was going to contest for the presidency of the party.”
Speaking on the party’s preparations for the elections, Khumalo said the IFP is likely to perform well in the local government elections.
“If you look at the MKP’s performance in the by-elections, it is not doing well, and when you compare that with the performance of the IFP, the party looks likely to reclaim its support base.”