Johnathan Paoli and Lerato Mbhiza
At a media briefing, held in Orlando West, Soweto on Wednesday, former ANC Secretary-General (SG) and Free State Premier, Ace Magashule announced the launch of a new political party called the African Congress for Transformation (ACT).
After introducing leaders and representatives from across the country, Magashule highlighted the nature of the party as being a people’s party, which upholds African Nationalism as a foundational pillar, Pan-Africanism as their liberation creed and maintained the sovereignty of Africa in development.
Magashule said South Africa has witnessed an increasing shift away from progressive forces in the struggle against neoliberal capitalism.
“The struggle for the soul of the ANC has witnessed the systematic marginalisation of progressive forces of the left,” Magashule said.
Magashule explained the two main objectives of the media briefing, being the announcement of a new organisation, but more importantly a clarion call to all South Africans, to find a new political home for the homeless, the betrayed and the fatigued.
“Here is a ship of freedom, come and join us,” he beckoned.
Magashule mapped the direction his party would be taking, saying the ACT was open to working with progressive movements within the country, including an invitation to the ANC to a “Cadre’s Assembly” in the Vaal in three weeks time.
“We have never encouraged anyone to burn ANC t-shirts, I have never burned mine,” he said.
Magashule said that a main slogan for the party is #Amadelakufa and highlighted that despite the disillusionment with the ruling party, the party still holds a lot of respect for many individuals within the ANC.
He further stated the multi-racial and multi-ethnic nature of the party, as a movement for all people, across society to fight against poverty, inequality and economic oppression.
Magashule’s announcement of a new party comes amid widespread speculation including rumours that he might join the EFF after remarks made by EFF President Julius Malema, in which it was confirmed that the party was courting him.
“We have been in discussions with the EFF, because they are a progressive force, aligned to what we are trying to do,” Magashule said.
As a staunch ally of former President Jacob Zuma, Magashule has had a turbulent past with his former political party.
Magashule has been involved in Free state politics since 1994, and was elected as Premier of the Free State in 2009.
Also while Premier, Magashule retained his party position as ANC Provincial Chairperson, and he ultimately became the ANC’s longest-serving Provincial Chairperson and was part of what many have referred to as the “Premier League”, which consisted of Magashule, former North-West Premier Supra Mahumapelo and former deputy president and Mpumalanga premier David Mabuza.
During the ANC’s 54th National Conference, he was elected to the full-time position of Secretary-General, running on the slate of the losing presidential candidate, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma.
Following investigations by the Hawks in 2020, Magashule was charged with 21 charges of corruption, theft, fraud and money laundering, relating to a R255 million contract with the Free State Department of Human Settlements which was awarded to the Blackhead Consulting company back in 2014 during his premiership.
In May of 2021, the ANC National Working Committee suspended Magashule from the position of ANC SG until the conclusion of the court proceedings and was given 30 days to voluntarily ‘step aside’ from his leadership positions in accordance with the ANC’s “step-aside” rule.
He refused to accept his suspension and in turn sought to suspend Cyril Ramaphosa, the ANC and national President, an application which the Gauteng High Court dismissed on 13 September 2021.
On 12 June 2023, ANC spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri announced that Magashule had been expelled from the party after he had missed the deadline of seven days to oppose the National Disciplinary Committee’s disciplinary findings against him.
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