Ann Eveleth
Western Cape National Party leader Dawie de Villiers has been tipped for an ambassadorship, along with Inkatha Freedom Party MP Lionel Mtshali, in a new round of appointments expected also to include the Pan Africanist Congress.
De Villiers’ imminent appointment comes hot on the heels of former NP parliamentary deputy speaker Bhadra Ranchod’s decision to accept an ambassadorship. His departure will be another blow to the National Party’s verligte ranks.
President Nelson Mandela has also heeded the IFP’s two-year pleas for an ambassadorship by offering it the post in Argentina. The IFP had repeatedly complained that while it was part of the government of national unity it had been overlooked for a diplomatic posting in favour of small minority parties such as the Freedom Front.
But in a letter to a newspaper, IFP head Mangosuthu Buthelezi said IFP Correctional Services Minister Sipo Mzimela claimed to have arranged the new ambassadorial posting, and said “it was not for Mzimela or anyone in the party except me to make these proposals”.