Hussein Solomon, editor of Against All Odds, has written about the formation of Mamphela Ramphele’s political party platform, Agang South Africa, in an article for Southern African Peace and Security.

Solomon says that although Ramphele is an ideal candidate on a personal level, political parties built on personalities do not have a good track record and he doubts that the party will be able to gain enough support before the 2014 elections.

The launch of Mamphele Ramphele’s political party Agang – Sesotho for “Let us Build” – reflects once again the dissatisfaction that ever larger numbers of South Africans feel about the ruling ANC, 19 years after the ending of apartheid.

Let us be clear though: at present Agang does not really challenge the ANC but would most likely take votes from the opposition DA. Whilst the ANC’s political support may be dwindling it still retains an almost two-thirds majority in parliament and still boasts an enviable political machine. Moreover the ruling party still retains the decisive advantage of incumbency and with it the power to dole out patronage with which to buy key voting blocs.

• Complete article: Southern African Peace and Security

Book details

• Against All Odds: Opposition Political Parties in Southern Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Mauritius, Mozambique, South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia, Zimbabwe edited by Hussein Solomon
  EAN: 9780620476003
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