Will she start a new political party?

Former anti-apartheid activist Mamphela Ramphele said on Tuesday she would herself announce if she was going to start a political party.

“I have always been clear in articulating my views on matters of public importance, and will speak on my own behalf about any decisions I might take about my future engagements,” she said in a statement.

She said she had “noted” reports that she intended forming a political party.

“I would like to place it on record that I have been having conversations with South Africans from all walks of life about the state of democracy in South Africa,” Ramphele said.

“These conversations are in line with the national dialogue I am seeking to promote through my latest book, Conversations with my Sons and Daughters.” 

Sunday’s Rapport newspaper reported that on a recent visit to America Ramphele said she was collecting money for a political party and was “entering politics to save her country”. She also rallied support from ambassadors. Ambassador to Argentina and former Democratic Alliance leader Tony Leon said two people at Ramphele’s meetings in America had confirmed this, he told the City Press.

DA leader Helen Zille tried to get Ramphele to join her party last year, but she declined and formed the Citizens’ Movement, a non-governmental organisation.

According to the report, Ramphele thought stronger opposition was needed after President Jacob Zuma was re-elected African National Congress president at the party’s elective conference in Mangaung in December.