By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Deputy Transport Minister and Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) Mkhuleko Hlengwa has been named as the mayoral candidate for eThekwini Metro.
IFP president Velenkosini Hlabisa made the announcement on Monday, 31 August 2026.
Hlabisa said the party believes in Hlengwa’s experience, energy and understanding of public administration.
“His experience, energy and understanding of public administration will position him to lead our campaign to restore effective, accountable and people-centred governance in eThekwini,” Hlabisa said.
In his acceptance speech, Hlengwa outlined his connections to the city and the problems facing it.
He said, “The city has economic assets to be one of the leading metropolitan economies on the continent. Infrastructure creates opportunities when it is connected to competent planning, efficient administration, investment and people who are prepared to make things happen.
KwaZulu-Natal taxi boss and businessman Sizwe “Mavava” Sikhakhane was announced as the party’s deputy mayoral candidate.
In uMhlathuze, the party is retaining incumbent Mayor Xolani Ngwezi as its mayoral candidate.
In the City of Johannesburg, Hlabisa announced Mlungisi Mabaso as the mayoral candidate, the IFP is contesting in 108 wards.
Hlabisa said all three candidates unveiled during the briefing were under the age of 45, describing the decision as deliberate.
“The IFP believes in the ability of the youth of South Africa to lead. We believe that young people must not simply be spoken about as the future. They must be given opportunities to lead in the present,” Hlabisa said.
He said the candidates were part of the party’s preparations for the local government elections and the IFP had also strengthened its structures ahead of the poll.
“The IFP is ready to lead this new transition and the repositioning of local government as a sphere that transforms service delivery to our people,” Hlabisa said.
The IFP has also submitted its list of candidates for the local government elections, fielding 3 188 candidates across municipalities. This will be 1,922 wards candidates and 1,266 Proportional Representative candidates.
This represents significant growth from 2021, when the IFP fielded 2570 candidates across 105 municipalities.
The party will launch the manifesto on the 20th of September 2026 at Princess Magogo Stadium in KwaMashu, Durban. The manifesto will set out the party’s vision and programme for municipalities and communities across South Africa.