Hon Deputy Speaker, the ANC welcomes to its ranks three senior IFP members who defected to the ANC on Tuesday, 18 June 2013. [Applause.] The three, Mr Roman Liptak, speech writer of the IFP president, Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi; Dr Usha Roopnarian, a former IFP legislator, health spokesperson and former IFP Youth Brigade leader, and Ms Pat Lebenya- Ntanzi defected because they believe that the ANC is the only political party that plays a leading role in the transformation of South African society and that the policies of the ANC have contributed to and continue to contribute to significant change in our country.
The three former IFP members believe that the IFP does not have the capacity to adapt to a changing South Africa, that the IFP remains trapped in the past and that the IFP does not welcome views differing from those of the leadership. We have no doubt that these three are individuals of calibre who will make a valuable contribution to the ANC and we welcome their participation. [Applause.]