ANC and IFP unite, analyst says MK Party will be left in the cold

As South Africans prepare for a new Government of National Unity, Cultural and Political Analyst, Professor Musa Xulu, says he’s not surprised by the Inkatha Freedom Party’s (IFP) decision to work with the ANC.
 
The IFP yesterday announced the news after the ANC failed to secure the majority at the polls last month.
 
Party President, Velenkosini Hlabisa, further confirmed that the IFP will partner with the DA, ANC and NFP in KZN in a bid to govern the province.
 
While Jacob Zuma’s MK Party successfully dethroned the ANC in the province, securing 37 out of the 80 seats in the KZN Legislature, the IFP’s coalition could pose a threat.
 
Hlabisa, however, re-iterated that they are still open to having talks with the MK Party, which pulled a no-show for their planned initial meeting earlier this week.
 
Speaking with YNews, Xulu said it’s likely the IFP will ditch the MK Party, given the late IFP founder, Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi’s reservations towards Jacob Zuma.
 
“According to my historical knowledge and interaction with the late Buthelezi, he always wanted the IFP to work closely with the ANC. He had personal issues with Mr Jacob Zuma that he expressed in public many times,” he told YNews.
 
The political insider told YNews that political leaders are concerned that the MK party has no structures.
 
He’s highlighted the MK’s seeming lack of tact in handling negotiation talks.
 
“It’s a one-person show. With their attempted negotiations, their negotiation teams would always tell other parties that they are waiting for uBaba,to give them the go-ahead,” he said. 
 
Political parties are rushing to finalise coalition talks ahead of the first National Assembly sitting tomorrow, with a potential Government of National Unity between the ANC, DA and the IFP on the horizon.

Sharing his expectations, Xulu says it’s likely ANC President Cyril Ramaphosa will be elected back to office, while a new National Assembly Speaker will likely come from the DA.