IFP defers national and provincial conferences to prioritise 2026 local elections

The Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) has officially moved its national and provincial conferences to early next year, citing a strategic need to focus on the upcoming local government polls.

The announcement was made on Monday by the party's National Council, which serves as the highest decision-making body within the organisation.

The current leadership's term of office technically lapsed in August 2024.

However, the party opted not to elect new leaders at that time, as it had recently entered government at both the national level and within the KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng legislatures.

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To ensure that the 2026 local government electioneering campaign remains uninterrupted, the IFP has outlined a clear internal roadmap:

End of May: Finalisation of auditing for all party branches

June: Completion of constituency and district conferences

Pre-March 2027: Execution of all provincial and national conferences

The party stated that these steps are designed to pave a clear path ahead of the local government polls.

The current leadership, headed by Velenkosi Hlabisa, was elected in 2019. This marked a historic transition for the party when founder Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi, who served as leader for 44 years, stepped down to become President Emeritus.

This upcoming cycle will mark the first time the party holds its conferences without the presence of Buthelezi.