Originally the Inkatha National Cultural Liberation Movement, known as Inkatha, it was established by Chief Mangosuthu Buthelezi in 1975. Established as a political party on 14 July 1990 with Buthelezi elected as the leader. It promoted a federalist national government which would provide regional autonomy. The IFP joined the Freedom Alliance, a coalition with white right-wing groups to oppose the ANC. It threatened to boycott the 1994 elections but joined at the eleventh hour. It obtained 10.5 per cent of the national vote and three cabinet positions in President Nelson Mandela’s government. The IFP threatened to leave the GNU but did not.