FF+ elects new leader Corné Mulder: 'We remain a member of the GNU'

CapeTalk's Lester Kiewit speaks to the newly elected leader of the Freedom Front Plus, Dr Corné Mulder.

Listen below

There is a new leader at the helm of the Freedom Front Plus.

Dr Corné Mulder won an uncontested election at the weekend, as former leader Dr Pieter Groenewald decided not to run for the position.

Dr Groenewald currently serves as Minister of Correctional Services and will continue in that role.

Dr Mulder says FFPlus has to act in the interests of its own community and party and that it cannot take its lead from other parties.

He says while they started as a largely Afrikaner party, they welcome all minorities who support their values.

He adds that they are not a “white” party, and they have also changed their credo to speak directly to minorities that require representation.

Dr Mulder says they do not want to oppose the state purely for the sake of it and will take up critical issues, whether that be concerns around land expropriation or the marginalisation of the white population.

He says the GNU needs to step up and resolve its “hiccups,” such as the controversy over the Bela Act, Expropriation laws, and the Budget delay.

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"The fact that I've been elected unopposed is very important because I would like to lead a united party that is absolutely on the same page."

Corné Mulder, Leader - Freedom Front Plus

Mulder says while the FF Plus started as a largely Afrikaner party, it welcomes all minorities who support their values. 

He adds that they are not a 'white' party, but says he sees nothing negative about those who vote in accordance with 'identity politics'.

"I think the important thing is, if we really accommodate and recognise the different identities and diversity, we can make that a strength....I don't see that as a negative and something that will tear the country apart."

Corné Mulder, Leader - Freedom Front Plus

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Despite the new leadership, the FF Plus has sought to reassure its supporters that the party's political position remains the same.

For now, says Mulder, it will remain a part of the GNU:

"The party is committed to the Government of national unity because it is in the best interests of South Africa that we are present around the table where decisions are taken."

Corné Mulder, Leader - Freedom Front Plus

However, Mulder says that from its inception, the FF Plus has said of the GNU that, from time to time, it will be necessary to reevaluate the party's position within the coalition.

"And we will do so. The party will do that and go through our own internal processes, but in the meantime we remain a member of the GNU."

Corné Mulder, Leader - Freedom Front Plus

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Mulder says parties should join a coalition government for a specific purpose:

"The idea is that the GNU should bring a new consensus to the South African public...and that means that we have to be accommodative of each other.

Corne Mulder, Leader - Freedom Front Plus

"We will see how we get through this budget hiccup that we've got and hopefully we can all learn from that...in a true GNU. Parties have to find solutions that are taking us all forward. If the former ruling party is not prepared to do that, then it could create serious problems."

Corne Mulder, Leader - Freedom Front Plus