The launch of Dr Mamphela Ramphele’s new political platform has stirred up speculation among the Grahamstown community. Questions about Agang’s undefined political identity and the existence of other members belonging to Ramphele’s party remain unanswered.
The launch of Dr Mamphela Ramphele’s new political platform has stirred up speculation among the Grahamstown community. Questions about Agang’s undefined political identity and the existence of other members belonging to Ramphele’s party remain unanswered.
Siphokazi Magadla, a Politics and International Studies lecturer at Rhodes University, addressed some of the debates.
“It is not surprising that Ramphele has risen to the occasion and joined national politics. Although she was explicit in her criticism of the African National Congress (ANC) in her book entitled Sons and Daughters, she is yet to state, herself, her place in the messiness of it all,” said Magadla.
Ramphele, a former anti-apartheid activist, forged a praiseworthy career as a medical doctor, a successful academic and a businesswoman.
Her involvement in business and international capital (former-Managing Director of the World Bank), however, has led to uncertainties about her ability to understand the living experience of people from all social classes, Magadla explained.
“Due to her connection to multinational mining companies, she needs to be able to convince us that she can relate to the managers as well as the miners. Those are two vastly different classes of people.”
Magadla said Agang may cause a stir in the dynamics of South African politics, particularly for the ANC and the DA.
“Lots of people are complaining that we need a stronger opposition… [Agang] offers new choices and opportunities for the younger generations. Although it is a big risk and she may have more to lose than to gain, her decision is commendable,” said Magadla.
Local DA Councillor Leslie Reynolds sees Agang’s impact on South African politics differently. “I don’t think that Agang’s potential will ever materialise into a viable political party. At the moment they are a forum for discussion. It takes an enormous amount of blood, sweat and tears to launch a new party,” said Reynolds.
Reynolds, admits, however, that the new forum aligns itself closely with the aims of the DA. He notes that the DA has been in discussions with Ramphele.
“It would, in my opinion, take many years for Agang to meet national expectations and it should rather identify with an existing larger party,” Reynolds said.
Fezokuhle Mthonti, a Politics major at Rhodes, harshly questioned Ramphele’s forum. Mthonti alluded to the murkiness surrounding the rest of the forum.
“She has been incredibly evasive about who she has spoken to form part of the Agang leadership.”
In Mthonti’s view, Ramphele’s vision does not offer a refreshing outlook or clarity, and rather proposes “nothing more than a couple of banal platitudes that don’t necessarily give us an idea of what she hopes to achieve with her party apart from electoral reform”.
Even though it is still early days, the public knows very little, which is problematic.
“She needs people on the ground selling the idea of Agang, the same way people advocate for the ANC or the DA across the country.”
Reflecting on criticism that Agang could be another “disappointing” Cope, Reynolds offers a fresh perspective.
"The history of most members of Cope is that they have a Struggle background and are in large measure in alignment with the ANC,” said Reynolds, “Agang is more middle of the road and it would appear to have different views on the problems the country faces. Cope and Agang I believe have totally divergent political views. We will have to keep an eye on them.”
