This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-23012310
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
South African new party Agang to challenge ANC | South African new party Agang to challenge ANC |
(about 14 hours later) | |
A new political party has been launched in South Africa to challenge President Jacob Zuma's African National Congress. | |
Agang, which means "Build", has made tackling corruption and improving education two of its main goals. | |
Its leader, Mamphela Ramphele, told supporters in Pretoria the ANC could not be trusted to run the economy. | |
Ms Ramphele is a former World Bank managing director and was the partner of murdered anti-apartheid activist Steve Biko. | |
Ahead of Saturday's launch, retired Archbishop Desmond Tutu described her as a brave and principled leader and said the graciousness of South African politics in the 1990s had largely been surrendered at the altar of power and wealth. | |
"Few thinking South Africans would not welcome the entry into South African politics of someone of the calibre, background, intellect and resourcefulness of Mamphela Ramphele," he said in a statement. | "Few thinking South Africans would not welcome the entry into South African politics of someone of the calibre, background, intellect and resourcefulness of Mamphela Ramphele," he said in a statement. |
The BBC's Karen Allen in Johannesburg says the ANC is regularly accused of poor governance and failing to deliver basic services such as housing, water and jobs. | The BBC's Karen Allen in Johannesburg says the ANC is regularly accused of poor governance and failing to deliver basic services such as housing, water and jobs. |
Agang's stated aim, she says, is to galvanise South Africans to build on the democratic foundations left by former President Nelson Mandela and other anti-apartheid leaders - a legacy which some believe is being squandered by the ANC. | Agang's stated aim, she says, is to galvanise South Africans to build on the democratic foundations left by former President Nelson Mandela and other anti-apartheid leaders - a legacy which some believe is being squandered by the ANC. |
However, loyalty to the ANC among South African voters runs deep, our correspondent adds. | However, loyalty to the ANC among South African voters runs deep, our correspondent adds. |
Coalition possible | |
Ms Ramphele has spoken about the possibility of forging coalitions with other parties, and analysts say the most obvious candidate is the Democratic Alliance (DA), South Africa's official opposition. | Ms Ramphele has spoken about the possibility of forging coalitions with other parties, and analysts say the most obvious candidate is the Democratic Alliance (DA), South Africa's official opposition. |
She told the BBC that her party was still "in conversation" with the DA but added: "We can reach much further than where the DA can reach, because we are not bringing any baggage to the party." | She told the BBC that her party was still "in conversation" with the DA but added: "We can reach much further than where the DA can reach, because we are not bringing any baggage to the party." |
When Ms Ramphele first unveiled her new party earlier this year she said she was seeking to end ANC rule. | When Ms Ramphele first unveiled her new party earlier this year she said she was seeking to end ANC rule. |
"Corruption, nepotism and patronage have become the hallmarks of the conduct of many in public service," she said. | "Corruption, nepotism and patronage have become the hallmarks of the conduct of many in public service," she said. |
At the time, ANC spokesman Jackson Mthembu said his party believed Ms Ramphele was "grievance-driven" and had failed to offer solutions to South Africa's problems. | At the time, ANC spokesman Jackson Mthembu said his party believed Ms Ramphele was "grievance-driven" and had failed to offer solutions to South Africa's problems. |
The ANC will seek to extend its 19 years in power in elections next year. | The ANC will seek to extend its 19 years in power in elections next year. |
The ANC won the 2009 election with 65.9% of the vote. A breakaway party, the Congress of the People (Cope), failed to make a significant impact, analysts say. | The ANC won the 2009 election with 65.9% of the vote. A breakaway party, the Congress of the People (Cope), failed to make a significant impact, analysts say. |
Previous version
1
Next version