Not so fast, Agang SA tells DA

Mamphela Ramphele and Helen Zille. Photo: Mike Hutchings

Mamphela Ramphele and Helen Zille. Photo: Mike Hutchings

Published Jan 31, 2014

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Johannesburg - A report on Friday stating that Mamphela Ramphele will be welcomed into the DA next week is premature, Agang SA said.

“In fact, Dr Ramphele is on record as saying that she remains the leader of Agang SA, and that she will continue to campaign for the party,” it said in a statement.

The party was reacting to a Sapa report based on a statement from the Democratic Alliance.

Earlier on Friday, Ramphele and Democratic Alliance leader Helen Zille said in a joint statement that Ramphele would be welcomed into the party at a press conference in Johannesburg on Monday.

The DA and Agang SA would next week formalise the integration of the two parties following Ramphele's decision to stand as the official opposition's presidential candidate.

Agang SA said a technical committee first had to find ways for both parties to use their strengths to provide a government-in-waiting for South Africa.

“The party meanwhile remains committed to a realignment of the political landscape and remains committed to being a catalyst that brings about change in South Africa,” Agang SA said.

It said it was prepared to work with other parties and organisations that shared its values.

In the joint statement, Ramphele and Zille said they would on Tuesday embark on a roadshow to muster support for the merger, starting with a march for employment creation in Johannesburg.

“From there, we will travel across the country to engage with South Africans in all communities, and showcase our shared vision of the future Ä a place where every person has the freedom and means to achieve their dreams,” they said.

Meanwhile, the two parties would work out the technical details of their integration.

“During this time, the technical committee will be meeting to finalise arrangements to integrate our respective parties. When their work is complete, we will be in a position to make a public announcement on the details of this historic partnership.”

A year after launching Agang SA, Ramphele announced on Tuesday that she would front the DA's 2014 election campaign in a bid to change the country's political landscape and end race-based politics.

Zille conceded that the decision had not been canvassed with the parties' grassroots structures.

Sapa

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