DURBAN, KwaZulu-Natal — The Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) has officially announced Deputy Minister of Transport Mkhuleko Hlengwa as its mayoral candidate for the eThekwini metro, marking a strategic push ahead of the November 2026 local government elections. The party revealed its key municipal leadership picks during a recent media briefing, emphasizing a renewed focus on […]
DURBAN, KwaZulu-Natal — The Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) has officially announced Deputy Minister of Transport Mkhuleko Hlengwa as its mayoral candidate for the eThekwini metro, marking a strategic push ahead of the November 2026 local government elections. The party revealed its key municipal leadership picks during a recent media briefing, emphasizing a renewed focus on experienced public leadership and grassroots expansion across the province.
Alongside Hlengwa, the IFP named entrepreneur Sizwe “Mavava” Skhakhane as the deputy mayoral candidate for eThekwini. Hlengwa brings extensive governmental experience to the ticket, having served as a Member of the National Assembly for 15 years since 2012 and previously chairing the parliamentary standing committee on public accounts (SCOPA). A University of South Africa alumnus and former national chairperson of the IFP Youth Brigade, he currently also serves as the party’s national spokesperson.
In the City of uMhlathuze, the party has thrown its support behind Cllr. Xolani Ngwezi, aiming to retain him in his current mayoral position. The IFP highlighted Ngwezi’s strong administrative track record, noting that the municipality recently secured four clean audits following the 2024 general election.
On a broader scale, the IFP is fielding nearly 3,200 candidates across all nine provinces, a significant increase from the approximately 2,600 candidates fielded in 2021. The party also announced that its official manifesto launch will take place on September 20 at the Princess Magogo Stadium in KwaZulu-Natal. Party leadership stressed that the upcoming manifesto will not be a “collection of empty promises” or a cut-and-paste wishlist, but rather an original, clear, and credible alternative plan designed to address the real, daily needs of communities.
Despite the optimistic rollout, the IFP raised serious concerns about the safety of its members, strongly condemning a recent violent assault on three party comrades. The incident occurred on a Sunday in the Ezingolweni, KwaNyuswa area of Ward 34, where IFP volunteers and the local ward candidate were attacked while putting up campaign posters by individuals who allegedly stated they did not want the IFP campaigning in their area. The party has issued a stern call for all political activists and communities to exercise restraint.
Additionally, the briefing addressed recent political tensions regarding the KwaZulu-Natal Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) MEC, Thulasizwe Ntuli. Following calls from the ANC for his removal over allegations of sabotaging municipalities, the IFP firmly defended his performance. Party spokespersons confirmed they are satisfied with the work currently being conducted by MEC Ntuli and have no plans to support or initiate any moves to have him removed from office.
