NFP emerges as a major player in KZN coalition politics | The Witness

Despite only securing a single seat in the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature in the general elections, the National Freedom Party (NFP) could still play a significant role in the formation of a provincial coalition government.

A coalition government has become necessary after last month’s polls failed to produce an outright winner in the province.

In the event of the Umkhonto we Sizwe Party (MK Party) and the IFP — which jointly have enough seats in the KZN Provincial Legislature to co-govern the province — failing to reach an agreement, the NFP would play the role of kingmaker in a coalition arrangement involving the IFP, DA and the ANC, which jointly controls 40 of the provincial legislature’s 80 seats.

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Speaking to The Witness on Wednesday, NFP secretary-general Canaan Mdletshe said since the release of the election results on June 2, the party has been in talks with various political parties “including at the national level”.

In relation to KZN, we are aware that the political parties which we have been talking to are also talking to other political parties. As much as we would like to play an influential role in the formation of a coalition government in KZN, we also do accept that whatever role we might end up playing would be determined by the nature of the agreements between the various political parties.

“As the NFP, what is of major interest to us is to ensure that there is a stable government in place to serve the needs of the people of KZN.

“So, whatever agreement is reached between political parties, the NFP will push to ensure that there is a coalition government in place,” he said.

While the NFP has an interest in the current coalition talks, Mdletshe said the party was also working on forging a “long-term relationship”.

Instead of confining ourselves to the current situation, we are also focusing on building lasting relationships.

“As the NFP, we are of the firm view that coalitions have become a permanent feature of the South African political landscape,” he said.

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Formed in 2011, the NFP, which was founded by former IFP national chairperson Zanele Magwaza-Msibi, is an IFP splinter organisation.