In a significant political development, National Freedom Party (NFP) leader Ivan Barnes, along with the party’s leadership, held a press briefing in Umhlanga on Thursday. During the event, Barnes announced that the NFP “supports and prescribes” to the Government of National Unity (GNU).

🔸️𝐁𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐍𝐞𝐰𝐬 | The NFP has just joined the ANC, IFP and DA to form a coalition government in KwaZulu-Natal.

Combined, all these parties make up 41 seats, after the NFP brought its one [1] seat. pic.twitter.com/zs5QfltjWA

— The African Perspective (@theafricanptv) June 13, 2024

Barnes emphasized that the core agreement for joining the GNU was to prioritize service delivery. This move by the NFP has significantly impacted former president Jacob Zuma’s MK Party, which despite receiving the most votes in KwaZulu-Natal—45% of the electorate—now faces challenges in governing the province.

At the briefing, Barnes expressed the party’s motivation, highlighting the constructive dialogues they had with the African National Congress (ANC) and other political entities.

“The spirit of partnership and the maturity that have characterised negotiations are a source of inspirations for millions of people,”

he stated.

In KwaZulu-Natal, a party requires at least 41 seats to govern. The NFP’s decision to join the GNU reshapes the political landscape, making it harder for any single party to dominate without coalition support.

This move by the NFP indicates a strategic shift towards collaborative governance, underscoring the importance of unity and effective service delivery in the region.