Inkatha Freedom Party president Mangosuthu Buthelezi said that the IFP has been called upon by history to become the voice of the African National Congress’s bad conscience.
Buthelezi was speaking at an IFP rally at Emabhanoyini, Jozini, Northern KwaZulu-Natal on Saturday to thank his party supporters for their participation in the general election held on April 14 2004.
”We are the only party with the credibility, track record and experience required to voice the needs and aspirations of the overwhelming majority of South Africans. We have the great responsibility to become the moral and constructive opposition of South Africa, not only in the interest of our constituency, but for the benefit of all South Africans.”
He said in the end, when the ANC constituency would need to voice its dissatisfaction with the way in which the ANC was fulfilling its mandate, they would need to depend on the IFP, to voice their concerns.
”We accept the fact that the majority of South Africans gave the ANC a mandate. However, the same majority must now rely on us to ensure that that mandate can be fulfilled in the best way possible,” he said.
He said the ANC could not control itself, or hold itself accountable.
”A democracy requires checks and balances. The fundamental check and balance is to be able to point out the deficiencies in the performance of the ruling party and to do so in the name and on behalf of those who voted for the ruling party.
”We can express the voice and concerns of the majority of the South African people and in so doing can carry the final responsibility of holding the ANC accountable and voicing the concerns of its own constituency, over and above our own constituency when the ANC does not deliver.”
Buthelezi also thanked IFP supporters for their work in the party’s campaign for the general election.
”I wish to thank wholeheartedly each of our supporters who cast their vote for the IFP.” – Sapa