The Minority Front is a political party in South Africa. The party represents all minorities of South Africa, however, its support comes mainly from the South African Indian community. Its voter base is in the province of KwaZulu-Natal. The eThekwini district, (Durban), is the cultural and demographic centre of South Africa's Indian community. The party was founded in 1993 and led by Amichand Rajbansi until his death in December 2011.
Minority Front | |
|---|---|
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| Leader | Shameen Thakur-Rajbansi[1] |
| Founded | 1 November 1993 |
| Preceded by | National People's Party |
| Headquarters | 13175 Peak Street, Arena Park, Westcliff, Chatsworth, Durban |
| Ideology | Indian minority interests |
| Slogan | Your Choice and Voice All the Way |
| National Assembly seats | 0 / 400 |
| KZN Legislature seats | 1 / 80 |
| Website | |
| www | |
History edit
The Minority Front was formed as a successor to the National People's Party (NPP), which was an important party led by the late Mr. A. Rajbansi in the Indian-only House of Delegates in the Tricameral Parliament.[2]
Rajbansi's widow and colleague in the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature, Shameen Thakur-Rajbansi, was voted in as leader in January 2012.[3] A leadership and family battle erupted when an attempt was made to replace Thakur-Rajbansi as leader, with Amichand Rajbansi's son, Vimal, and first wife, Asha Devi Rajbansi, asking her to step down, and a breakaway conference (not recognized by the IEC) elected Roy Bhoola, who Thakur-Rajbansi had attempted to remove from public office.[4][5] Thakur-Rajbansi was declared the undisputed leader in December 2013, after the parties settled their disputes in a confidential agreement.[1]
Election results edit
The party contested each election from 1994 until 2019, winning national representation in 1999, 2004 and 2009, and provincial representation in KwaZulu-Natal each time. It is not contesting in 2024.
National elections edit
| Election[6] | Total votes | Share of vote | Seats | +/– | Government |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | 13,433 | 0.07% | 0 / 400
|
– | extra-parliamentary |
| 1999 | 48,277 | 0.30% | 1 / 400
|
 1
|
in opposition |
| 2004 | 55,267 | 0.35% | 2 / 400
|
1
|
in opposition |
| 2009 | 43,474 | 0.25% | 1 / 400
|
 1
|
in opposition |
| 2014 | 22,589 | 0.12% | 0 / 400
|
1
|
extra-parliamentary |
| 2019 | 11,961 | 0.07% | 0 / 400
|
 ±0
|
extra-parliamentary |
Provincial elections edit
| Election[6] | Eastern Cape | Free State | Gauteng | Kwazulu-Natal | Limpopo | Mpumalanga | North-West | Northern Cape | Western Cape | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| % | Seats | % | Seats | % | Seats | % | Seats | % | Seats | % | Seats | % | Seats | % | Seats | % | Seats | |
| 1994 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 1.34% | 1/80 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1999 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 2.93% | 2/80 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 2004 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 2.61% | 2/80 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 2009 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 2.05% | 2/80 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 2014 | - | - | - | - | 0.07% | 0/73 | 1.02% | 1/80 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 2019 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 0.52% | 1/80 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Municipal elections edit
| Election | Votes | % |
|---|---|---|
| 1995–96 | ||
| 2000 | 0.3% | |
| 2006 | 84,785 | 0.3% |
| 2011[7] | 113,195 | 0.4% |
| 2016[8] | 13,407 | 0.03% |
| 2021[9] | 8,304 | 0.03% |
Organisation and structure edit
Head office edit
The Minority Front's primary office is at 13175 Peak Street, Arena Park, Westcliff, Chatsworth, Durban.
Women's League edit
Youth League edit
National Assembly edit
Leadership edit
-
Amichand Rajbansi: Founder and past leader of the Minority Front (1993–2011). -
Hon. Shameen Thakur-Rajbansi: Leader of the Minority Front (2012-current).
Events edit
-
The late Mr A Rajbansi receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award from the India International Friendship Society in New Delhi (2008). -
MF Women's League at the 2019 Election Manifesto Launch in Chatsworth. -
MF Leader, Hon Shameen Thakur-Rajbansi pictured with supporters at their 2019 Election Manifesto Launch in Chatsworth. -
Opening of the Acaciavale Primary School Sports Facility in 2009 by Former MEC of Sport 2009, the Late Mr A Rajbansi
References edit
- ^ a b Noelene, Padavattan. "Thakur Rajbansi declared MF leader". www.iol.co.za.
- ^ Sapa, Benita Enoch And. "Rajbansi: Bombastic, thick-skinned and controversial". www.iol.co.za.
- ^ "Shameen Thakur-Rajbansi appointed new MF leader". Archived from the original on 2 December 2013. Retrieved 25 November 2013.
- ^ Soobramoney, Viasen. "Minority Front factions causes friction". www.iol.co.za.
- ^ Naidoo, Mervyn. "Rajbansi is ousted as head of Minority Front". www.iol.co.za.
- ^ a b "Results Dashboard". www.elections.org.za. Retrieved 11 May 2019.
- ^ "Results Summary – All Ballots 2011" (PDF). elections.org.za. Retrieved 25 January 2022.
- ^ "Results Summary – All Ballots 2016" (PDF). elections.org.za. Retrieved 11 August 2016.
- ^ "Results Summary – All Ballots 2021" (PDF). elections.org.za. Retrieved 24 November 2021.
