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Rise Mzansi
AbbreviationRISE
Leader Songezo Zibi
ChairpersonVuyiswa Ramokgopa
SpokespersonTebogo Moalusi
Chief Organiser Makashule Gana
National CoordinatorEsther Padi
Head of PolicyMandla Isaacs
Deputy ChairpersonCilna Steyn
Civic Alliances CoordinatorIrfaan Mangera
FounderSongezo Zibi
Founded19 April 2023; 12 months ago (2023-04-19)
Ideology Social democratic
Political position Centre-left
National Assembly
0 / 400
National Council of Provinces
0 / 90
Pan-African Parliament
0 / 5
(South African seats)
Provincial Legislatures
0 / 430
Website
www.risemzansi.org

Rise Mzansi (RISE) is a South African democratic socialist political party founded in April 2023. It is led by Songezo Zibi, a former newspaper editor and co-founder of the Rivonia Circle think tank.

Formation

Rise Mzansi was launched on 19 April 2023 at Constitution Hill in Johannesburg. Songezo Zibi was named as party leader. [1] Zibi is former associate editor of the Financial Mail and former editor of Business Day as well as the Rivonia Circle think tank co-founder. The party's national leadership includes former Democratic Alliance public representative Makashule Gana, former anti-apartheid activist Ishmael Mkhabela, Mandla Isaacs former speechwriter for Minister Malusi Gigaba, and Nick Binedell founder of the GIBS business school. [2] [3] The party intends on contesting the 2024 general elections with Zibi as the party's presidential candidate. [4]

In August 2023, Member of Parliament Nomsa Marchesi resigned from the Democratic Alliance and joined Rise Mzansi as the party's Free State convenor. [5] In November 2023, student leader David Kabwa's party, MOVE SA, announced that it would contest the 2024 elections under the banner of Rise Mzansi. [6] In January 2024, Khume Ramulifho, another former member of the DA joined the party. [7]

Politics

Rise Mzansi claims to be a social democratic party. According to their website, they stand for the following principles: [8]

"A constitutional democracy, where the constitution is the supreme law.

A government based on the will of the people and elected by the people.

Free, fair and regular elections that are run independently.

South African people enjoying their freedoms without the fear of criminals.

All South Africans having access to quality basic services and opportunities to live a better life.

Public representatives who serve the people and are accountable, ethical and do their duty with care."

2024 Campaign

Rise Mzansi's campaign slogan for the general elections is "2024 Is Our 1994", in reference to South Africa's first democratic elections. [9] In April 2023, Rise Mzansi rejected calls to join the Democratic Alliance-initiated "moonshot pact" of opposition parties on the grounds that the pact is solely based on removing the ANC and keeping the EFF from national power. Rather than forming itself only around opposing the ANC, Rise Mzansi says it is focused on developing substantive alternative politics and policies. [10]

Funders

The party has been criticised for not declaring its funding sources. Its leader, Songezo Zibi, has stated that all donations above R99,000 will be declared to the Independent Electoral Commission. The civil society organisation that Zibi founded, Rivonia Circle, has also been criticised for not declaring its funding sources.

The IEC released donor information for the period 1 October to 31 December 2023; Rise Mzansi raised R16.7 million. [11]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Former editor Songezo Zibi launches Rise Mzansi". BusinessLIVE. Retrieved 31 August 2023.
  2. ^ "'Return democracy to the people': Rise Mzansi leaders say SA ripe for change". News24. Retrieved 31 August 2023.
  3. ^ Goba, Thabiso. "Former news editor Songezo Zibi launches political party, Rise Mzansi". ewn.co.za. Retrieved 31 August 2023.
  4. ^ "'The people must govern': Songezo Zibi launches Rise Mzansi". TimesLIVE. Retrieved 31 August 2023.
  5. ^ "DA's Nomsa Marchesi joins Rise Mzansi". HeraldLIVE. Retrieved 31 August 2023.
  6. ^ "Rise Mzansi to contest 2024 general election with Move SA". www.google.com. Retrieved 17 November 2023.
  7. ^ Masuabi, Queenin (16 January 2024). "Ramulifho ditches DA and sets sail with Rise Mzansi". Daily Maverick. Retrieved 18 January 2024.
  8. ^ "About". www.risemzansi.org. Retrieved 17 November 2023.
  9. ^ https://www.timeslive.co.za/authors/sisanda-mbolekwa. "'2024 is our 1994 — a chance at renewal,' says Rise Mzansi". TimesLIVE. Retrieved 17 November 2023. {{ cite web}}: External link in |last= ( help)
  10. ^ Mahlati, Zintle. "'Moonshot pact' should not just focus on unseating ANC, EFF, says Rise Mzansi's Songezo Zibi". News24. Retrieved 17 November 2023.
  11. ^ Davis, Rebecca (29 February 2024). "ANC and DA are the big losers and Rise Mzansi the big winner as political party funding game heats up". Daily Maverick. Archived from the original on 29 February 2024. Retrieved 17 April 2024.


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