The IFP is the only party with the potential to challenge the ANC in KwaZulu-Natal, party leader Mangosuthu Buthelezi said on Wednesday.

Addressing Inkatha Freedom Party supporters in Maqongqo outside Pietermaritzburg, Buthelezi said his party would get an overwhelming number of votes in the upcoming elections.

"Here in KwaZulu-Natal and South Africa, the IFP is the only party that can challenge the ANC during the polls.

"This will however happen if people were tired of the ruling party go out in their numbers to vote," said Buthelezi.

"In KwaZulu-Natal, the elections will be a two-horse race. No other party can win this control of the province."

The IFP has steadily lost support in the past 15 years. During the 1994 elections, the party performed well nationally and it won control of KwaZulu-Natal.

The party also won the province in 1999, but signs of dwindling support became clear when the party lost KwaZulu-Natal to the African National Congress in 2004.

The party also lost a number of crucial municipalities in the province, such as Empangeni and Umhlathuze, which incorporates Richard's Bay.

Buthelezi said his party would fight corruption in government if it won the elections.

"We will start fixing things immediately after the elections. We will make sure that whistle-blowers of corruption are rewarded," he said.