INLSA
Mamphela Ramphele officially launches a new political party, Agang, which means build in SeTswana, in Joburg yesterday. Picture: Dumisani Sibeko
Baldwin Ndaba and Sapa
Political parties reacted cautiously to Mamphela Ramphele’s announcement yesterday that she had formed a “party political platform”.
The ANC said it was grievance-driven. “The initiative by Dr Ramphele is goading South Africans to participate at the periphery of our political dispensation,” spokesman Jackson Mthembu said.
“Whilst Dr Ramphele rehashes the known challenges facing our country, she does not bring any new suggestions to the table.”
DA spokesman Mmusi Maimane said: “Dr Ramphele shares the DA’s core values of non-racialism and constitutionalism, and her move is another step in the long process of realigning politics around these values.”
The DA would continue to “engage” with her, he said.
United Democratic Movement leader Bantu Holomisa welcomed Ramphele’s decision. “We look forward to working with Dr Ramphele in our efforts to build a strong political alternative.”
After weeks of speculation that she was planning to form a political party, Ramphele – Black Consciousness activist-turned-businesswoman – made her announcement at the old Women’s Gaol at Constitution Hill in Braamfontein.
“I am working with a group of fellow citizens to form a party political platform that will focus on rekindling hope that building the country of our dreams is possible in our lifetime,” she said.
“We launch this initiative under the name Agang, or in the Nguni languages of our country, Akhani, which can be interpreted in English as “Build South Africa”,” she said.
One of its aims would be to “declare war on corruption”. Her overall message was that the poor had been the biggest losers since democracy while ANC-aligned politicians lived the high life.
The new party will contest the general elections next year.
She suggested the era of Black Consciousness, which she, along with Steve Biko – the father of her son, Hlumelo – had advocated during their student days, was over.
Ramphele said the country should adopt a South African consciousness.
“We must build a sense of common South African citizenship.”
She said her party would make a priority of the fight against corruption, improve education, and deal with the failure of public service.
“Our country is at risk because self-interest has become the driver of many in positions of authority who should be focused on serving the public.
“The great society to which we committed ourselves following our relatively peaceful political transition is unravelling before our eyes.
“The impressive achievements of the past 18 years are being undermined by poor governance at all levels of society. An unchecked culture of impunity and the abuse of power as well as public resources rob children, young people, rural and urban poor people of the fruits of freedom,” Ramphele said.
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