The race to control eThekwini is heating up ahead of the 4 November local government elections, and the Inkatha Freedom Party has now put one of its biggest political names on the ballot.
The IFP has named 39-year-old Deputy Transport Minister and party spokesperson Mkhuleko Hlengwa as its mayoral candidate for eThekwini — a significant move for a party seeking to challenge the ANC's grip on KwaZulu-Natal's economic powerhouse. Hlengwa has been an MP since 2012 and previously chaired Parliament's Standing Committee on Public Accounts, giving him extensive experience in national government and public oversight. But this election is about more than a political title. eThekwini is facing deep challenges around service delivery, infrastructure, municipal finances and public confidence. The IFP says it wants to restore accountable, people-centred governance and believes Hlengwa has the experience to lead that turnaround. The party has
also announced businessman Sizwe “Mavava” Skhakhane as its deputy mayoral candidate, describing the pairing as a “two-horns” strategy. So, what exactly is the IFP promising Durban voters — and can Hlengwa translate his national political profile into enough support to take control of eThekwini?

The race to control eThekwini is heating up ahead of the 4&nbsp;November local government elections, and the Inkatha Freedom&nbsp;Party has now put one of its biggest political names on the ballot. The IFP has named 39-year-old Deputy Transport Minister and&nbsp;party spokesperson Mkhuleko Hlengwa as its mayoral candidate&nbsp;for eThekwini &mdash; a significant move for a party seeking to challenge&nbsp;the ANC's grip on KwaZulu-Natal's economic powerhouse. Hlengwa&nbsp;has been an MP since 2012 and previously chaired Parliament's&nbsp;Standing Committee on Public Accounts, giving him extensive&nbsp;experience in national government and public oversight.&nbsp;But this election is about more than a political title. eThekwini is&nbsp;facing deep challenges around service delivery, infrastructure,&nbsp;municipal finances and public confidence. The IFP says it wants&nbsp;to restore accountable, people-centred governance and believes&nbsp;Hlengwa has the experience to lead that turnaround. The party has also announced businessman Sizwe &ldquo;Mavava&rdquo; Skhakhane as its&nbsp;deputy mayoral candidate, describing the pairing as a &ldquo;two-horns&rdquo;&nbsp;strategy.&nbsp;So, what exactly is the IFP promising Durban voters &mdash; and can&nbsp;Hlengwa translate his national political profile into enough support to&nbsp;take control of eThekwini?

METRO FM Talk with Faith Mangope