RISE Mzansi | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Abbreviation | RISE |
| Leader | Songezo Zibi |
| Chairperson | Vuyiswa Ramokgopa |
| Spokesperson | Tebogo Moalusi |
| Chief Organiser | Makashule Gana |
| National Coordinator | Esther Padi |
| Head of Policy | Mandla Isaacs |
| Deputy Chairperson | Cilna Steyn |
| Civic Alliances Coordinator | Irfaan Mangera |
| Founder | Songezo Zibi |
| Founded | April 19, 2023 |
| 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 | |
RISE Mzansi (RISE) is a South African 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. The party's economic policy is socially democratic.
Formation
RISE Mzansi was launched on 19 April 2023 at Constitution Hill in Johannesburg. Former associate editor of the Financial Mail and former editor of Business Day as well as the Rivonia Circle think tank co-founder Songezo Zibi was named as party leader.[1] The party's national leadership features former Democratic Alliance public representative Makashule Gana and anti-apartheid activist Ishmael Mkhabela.[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]
Politics
Rise Mzansi is a social democratic party. According to their website, they stand for the following principles[7]
"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 Msanzi's campaign slogan for the general elections is 2024 Is Our 1994, in reference to South Africa's first democratic elections. [8] 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.[9]
References
- ↑ "Former editor Songezo Zibi launches Rise Mzansi". BusinessLIVE. Retrieved 2023-08-31.
- ↑ "'Return democracy to the people': Rise Mzansi leaders say SA ripe for change". News24. Retrieved 2023-08-31.
- ↑ Goba, Thabiso. "Former news editor Songezo Zibi launches political party, Rise Mzansi". ewn.co.za. Retrieved 2023-08-31.
- ↑ "'The people must govern': Songezo Zibi launches Rise Mzansi". TimesLIVE. Retrieved 2023-08-31.
- ↑ "DA's Nomsa Marchesi joins Rise Mzansi". HeraldLIVE. Retrieved 2023-08-31.
- ↑ "Rise Mzansi to contest 2024 general election with Move SA". www.google.com. Retrieved 2023-11-17.
- ↑ "About". www.risemzansi.org. Retrieved 2023-11-17.
- ↑ https://www.timeslive.co.za/authors/sisanda-mbolekwa. "'2024 is our 1994 — a chance at renewal,' says Rise Mzansi". TimesLIVE. Retrieved 2023-11-17.
{{cite web}}: External link in|last= - ↑ Mahlati, Zintle. "'Moonshot pact' should not just focus on unseating ANC, EFF, says Rise Mzansi's Songezo Zibi". News24. Retrieved 2023-11-17.
