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going political

Canaan Mdletshe

Canaan Mdletshe

Generations actress Winnie Ntshaba, Khethiwe of the soapie, can also play a tough political cookie in real life.

Ntshaba told delegates at the re-launch of the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) draft policy in Durban yesterday how at some stage the African National Congress (ANC) tried to get rid of IFP leader Mangosuthu Buthelezi.

The meeting was held at the city hall.

Ntshaba took IFP delegates down memory lane, telling the party's story from its inception. She described Buthelezi as one of the respected leaders in the country, saying he played a significant role in the liberation struggle.

"We know what the ruling party does to people who oppose them. They kill them.

"They tried to kill Buthelezi on a number of occasions. They tried to use the then Nazareth Baptist Church leader, Isaah Shembe, in their plan to kill Buthelezi, but they failed.

"That information was presented to the TRC, but nothing was done about it. Buthelezi had to endure a lot of emotional pain, but he stood firm on his beliefs," said Ntshaba.

During the meeting, Buthelezi said his party was ready to lead. He said the IFP's values have not changed.

"We know and still believe in what we stood for decades ago. But we have realised that the world is changing, so we had to change too," he said.

Buthelezi said for as long as there was still a pensioner and a child who was suffering, they would never back down on those people. "The crises the country is facing means that people want to see change - new leadership.

"Politics is for principles, not lust for power. The dark days in our country taught us that politics is about servicing people, which is something my party would do," he said.

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