Inkatha Freedom Fighters (IFP) leader Belenkosini Hlabisa said his party was ready to govern and rebuild South Africa.
Hlabisa was addressing hundreds of supporters at the party's final rally at Umhlathuze Central Sports Complex in Richards Bay, northern KwaZulu-Natal, on Sunday.
He outlined his party's manifesto promises of better delivery of basic services, job creation, poverty alleviation and youth empowerment.
Hlabisa maintained that the IFP's policies provide solutions to all the problems affecting the country.
“What our country needs to hear is that there is a way out. There are people like that. “The IFP is on a mission to lead the country and its people to safety. That is what makes us different. When the IFP speaks, we speak the truth. Over the last two months, since we launched our manifesto, the IFP has been engaging all South Africans on a robust plan to rebuild South Africa,” he says.
Speaking on the issue of youth unemployment, Hlabisa stated that if the IFP comes to power after the elections, it will do its utmost to create jobs for unemployed graduates and equip them with skills.
“Our mission is to provide a R3 000 grant to unemployed graduates for a period of time so that people who are already skilled can enter the labour market, grow the economy and find meaningful work,” he says.
Hlabisa also said that if his party were to come to power: Intention end Load Shedding.
“We will reform our energy sector and work to reduce fuel prices by decoupling RAF tax and other government taxes from the price of petrol. Now is the time for our country to get ahead with a just energy transition,” he said.
on the other hand, Princess Phumzile Buthelezi, chairperson of the IFP Women's Brigade, spoke out against policies supporting abortion and same-sex marriage.
Buthelezi, the daughter of the late Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi, founder and former leader of the IFP, also addressed thousands of supporters at the party's final rally in Richards Bay in northern KwaZulu-Natal province.
She urged her supporters to come out in large numbers and vote for the party.
“Comrades, I would appreciate it if you would register and vote by the numbers just as you have been attending the rallies. We are against all policies such as abortion. We are against same-sex marriage. We are against the murder of women and children. I am tired of attending these events. We trust that the IFP government will follow the principles established by the founders of this party.”
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