I wish to express my deep concern at the continued shenanigans currently confronting our National Freedom Party (NFP). These underlying internal squabbles have the potential to cause serious damage if they are not addressed immediately.
What worries me most is the manner in which some senior leaders conduct themselves. It’s an open secret that we have a situation in the NFP where certain individuals have elevated themselves into superior leaders whose views are final. This is dangerous. Week in and week out our organization is making the news for all the wrong reasons. I am even reluctant to watch the news or read newspapers.
The current challenges faced by the NFP calls for sober-minded leaders who are prepared to put the party above their personal interests. I know for sure that we do have that kind of leadership within our ranks, but the only problem is their lack of willingness to do the right thing. When I first heard of the decision by the KwaZulu-Natal provincial executive committee (PEC) to expel and redeploy councillors in the province, I asked for senior leaders to convene a National Working Committee (NWC) meeting to deal with this and other issues that confront the NFP. But this never happened. One wonders why?
It is becoming clear to me that there are leaders who are not willing to see unity in the NFP. They seem to have taken a particular direction and have probably found themselves an alternative political home. This concerns me greatly. I therefore take this opportunity to urge our leaders to do the right thing and to stop expelling and suspending those that have a different view from theirs.
In politics you cannot have permanent enemies or friends. Different views will always be expressed but it’s how you deal with them that is crucial. I’m therefore appealing to any leader, irrespective of the position they hold, to seek unity. I am also calling for the NWC meeting to be convened so that we can try and iron out whatever differences exist. I am willing and prepared to attend that meeting.
We cannot vigorously campaign and win the forthcoming local government elections when we are singing from different hymns. We need to find a solution now and rise above the petty issues that divide us.
NFP president,
Zanele kaMagwaza-Msibi
