EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH ZANELE MAGWAZA MSIBI

I had to interview this phenomenal individual and part of the interview is contained herein. The interview is very wide ranging and covered matters relating to Economics, Ideology, Military, Education, Health, HIV/AIDS, Unemployment, Housing, Crime, Elections, Religion, Public Representatives, Appointed Officials, Legislation, 

In an exclusive interview with me, Ms Zanele Magwaza-Msibi the National Chairperson of the IFP Inkatha Freedom Party and executive Mayor of the Zululand District said: The IFP is very concerned about the material and spiritual welfare of all the citizens of South Africa, This sentiment is also supported and held by the President of the Party His Excellency Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi.

Richard: Can you explain exactly what that means?

Zanele: The IFP is embarking on a concerted programme to meet with and consult with communities from all parts of the country to ascertain what their spiritual needs are.

Richard: Why are you doing that and why at this time?

Zanele: Most people are committed to one religion or another and the IFP would not be serving the people if we did not be aware of those needs and take measures to assist them. We started this consultation process over two years ago and its nearing its conclusion now.

Richard: Is this not an election ploy?

Zanele: No its not. If we fail to understand the needs of the people of SA then we are of no use to them. However as a responsible political party we are bound to have consultations with all members of our society and to that end we shall always develop our policies to meet with the needs of people. I must emphasize that we have no hesitation in stipulating that as a process we shall be happy to be advised by any person or entity that is interested in the development of our beautiful country.

Richard: Whose task is it in the IFP to conduct these consultations?

Zanele: It is essentially the tasks of the municipal councillors, other public representatives and party activists.

Richard: Do you not see a conflict in trying to engage the spiritual needs of people in terms of your being a political party?

Zanele: There is no conflict of interest. We do not prescribe specific religions or spirituality to any one; we will continue to respect all religious beliefs and value systems.

Richard: What were your main findings to date?

Zanele: Most people of Indian origin – that is those South Africans whose ancestors came from India and subscribe to the Hindu faith have expressed a deep interest and made requests that the IFP invite spiritual leaders like Sai Baba, Sri Ravi Shankar, and other to visit SA.

Richard: Is the IFP going to act on these requests, if so what will you be doing?

Zanele: we are going to invite the mentioned spiritual leaders to SA and we will hold a series of meetings all over the country with them if they agree to come to SA. As you are aware His Excellency Prince Buthelezi is a very devout Christian and he has deep respect for all spiritual leaders and he has stated that he will gladly host such spiritual leaders.

Richard: Are there many Hindus that support the IFP?

Zanele: Yes we have many Hindu members and supporters. His Excellency recently attended the Ganesha celebrations and remarked that it is not surprising that the symbol Ganesha is depicted by an elephant and the IFP logo is the only political party in South Africa that has an elephant on its logo.

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Richard: Do you see that as significant?

Zanele: Yes it is very significant, when the logo was designed, the elephant was not viewed in the light of Hindu beliefs, but we were advised by Hindu’s of the significance of Ganesha to the Hindu and we respect and honour that.

Richard:  Has anyone asked you to consider changing the logo?

Zanele: No one has suggested that. We were encouraged to keep the logo as it is, and not consider changing it and to ensure that we make the logo more widely known.

Richard: Why has it taken so many years for the IFP to embark on this programme>

Zanele: It is easier o be wise with hindsight true we should have done this before, however , we  are a learning organization and we will act in accordance with the wishes of this sector of the community.

Richard:  Do you see any conflict in terms of religious beliefs and practices?

Zanele: There are many differences among religious beliefs however we are of the view that in as much as there is strength in unity there can be an equal if not more strength in diversity. So our aim is to use our differences to complement each other rather than use them as points of contention.

Richard: What impact do you anticipate this program will have on morality and value systems in SA?

Zanele: This program will have a huge and very positive impact on the country. We ought to be careful as what may be morally acceptable to one may be repugnant to another therefore we will proceed with caution and with great circumspection in encouraging the Christian to be the best Christian they can be, the Hindu to be the best Hindu they can be and so to all religious and spiritual people to be the best they ever can be.

 Richard: Do you provide any training or workshops for your councillors to empower them to deal with religious and spiritual matters as they arise in the various communities they serve in?

Zanele: Yes we have frequent workshops and training sessions to enable our councillors and public representatives. We also have individual meetings and briefings, all councillors know that as the National Chairperson I have an open door policy that any councillor or any member of the party can have ready access to me. We have been spreading the message that all members of the public are free to communicate with me or my office at any time and we are delighted to interact with ordinary people. My office is not reserved for a particular sector of the community. If we fail to meet with people and communicate with them and listen to them then we will fail as a political party. The IFP is a party that is vitally concerned about the social, economic and political status of every South African.

Richard: What is your view about crime in the country?

Zanele: we are deeply concerned about the crime situation in the country. We are equally concerned that the central government appears to be unconcerned about this matter. It is one of the matters that affects every south African, equally we are concerned about the very high levels of unemployment, lack of housing and other infra structure, and lack of service delivery. On numerous occasions our part President His Excellency Prince Buthelezi stated that South Africa is being drawn into a crisis of governance because the central government is unable or does not have the political will to deal with the matters I refer to in this response. In fact at our recent General |Council meeting that was held in Ulundi His Excellency delivered a very powerful speech in this regard.

As far as we are concerned one rape is one too many, one murder is one murder too many. We do not like crime nor do we condone it in any form.

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Richard: What more can the government do to deal with and reduce crime and if possible eradicate it?

Zanele: We have policy documents on all major matters and you are welcome to have copies of them, In summary I can say that government must train members of the police in a better way, provide more resources like communication equipment, more motor vehicles, safer buildings, the courts must be better secured, prosecutors must be better trained, more prosecutors must be employed, more police must be employed and a zero tolerance must be adopted to crime. Obviously all these measure must be taken and be in line with national and other pieces of legislation including the constitution.

Other building blocks to deal with crime includes cutting long grass that some criminals use to hide in, all street lights must be in working order, job creation must become a priority. The priority crimes will include rape, murder, robberies, drug offences, fraud, house breakings, theft of motor vehicles, all violent crimes. Other crimes that affect specific areas will also be a point of focus.  

Richard: Your party is in control of 36 municipalities that means you govern those areas, what efforts are you making to prevent crime in those municipalities?

Zanele: As you are fully aware policing is a national competence. We have municipal policing in those areas and their prime function is traffic management. As you are also aware municipal traffic officers do not have a crime intelligence capacity as national legislation prohibits them from engaging in intelligence activities therefore we are in fact dependent on the South African Police Services to deal with crime. However our contribution is to ensure that communities actively participate in the Community Policing Forums and we try and maintain a very solid line of communication with the SAPS.

Richard: When you have made more progress in terms of inviting spiritual leaders from India to come to South Africa will you be willing to be interviewed again so that we can track progress in the matter.

Zanele: In as much as I have an open door policy to others I am available to you for interviews so you are most welcome to keep in contact with me.

Richard: I thank you for the time you allocated for this interview and trust that you will succeed in your quest,