PHUTI MOSOMANE
FORMER Business Day editor Songezo Zibi and his team have launched a new political alternative in South Africa called RISE Mzansi.
The launch of RISE Mzansi follows a period of wide-ranging consultations across South Africa, which started in November last year.
The party’s chief organizer, Makashule Gana, said that the team has been working to mobilize people’s power for safer and prosperous communities.
“We went to the ground to work with communities who told us that there must be nothing about us without us. They told us to go get the best and most humble people and not the corrupt,” said Gana.
At a colourful launch of the party in Braamfontein, Zibi, the leader of RISE Mzansi, presented a vision and framework for significant change in South Africa, with the goal of stabilizing the country and delivering safety, prosperity, and freedom.
Zibi said that this work is a generational mission that will require the participation of millions of people.
“2024 is our 1994,” he said at the launch.
He announced that RISE Mzansi has begun the process of registering as a political party with the Electoral Commission, with the intention of contesting the 2024 elections with a national list across all nine provinces.
““That is to stop this crisis, stabilise the country and then deliver the fruits of democracy. Those are safety, prosperity, and freedom. That work is a generational
mission that will transcend elections and feed off the participation of millions of
people who become part of this movement,” he said.
“You cannot achieve the vision we set out, and the sweeping changes we propose, without political power. Our goal is to build a country based on the principles of Justice, Freedom, Equality, Solidarity, and Integrity. These are not just RISE Mzansi’s values, but the values we believe must anchor how we revive the South African dream. They are for all South Africans.”
Zibi said the party’s priorities will be to address economic injustice, poverty, inequality, and racism in order to promote real national unity.
He also said the lack of clear values and a self-propelling moral anchor in South African society, and criticized current leaders for lacking seriousness, depth, and respect for the people.
“We cannot have integrity while corruption is driven from the very top. That level of transformation needs the participation of all of society. This is why we are building RISE Mzansi as an inclusive movement. These values and goals must be a way of life that informs what we do in politics, civil society, business, and the public service.”
Zibi believes that politicians alone cannot solve the current crisis in South Africa, and that a societal mission is needed to bring about change.
He added that the importance of civic participation and equal participation of broad role players, with a role of civic alliances coordinator included in the party’s leadership.
RISE Mzansi, said Zibi, also aims to mobilize the people and encourage active citizenship to build the South Africa that everyone deserves.
“What is missing? South Africa is in this state not because of lack of political parties- People are not demoralised because of load shedding- but ability to deal with it. It is not crime that people are scared of. It is a sense that those fighting crime are criminals. We are demotivated and demoralised,” he said.
Who is behind the new political party?
ZONGEZO ZIBI – President
The party’s national leader is Songezo Zibi, a former Associate Editor of the Financial Mail, and former Editor of Business Day. Zibi, born in Mqanduli, Eastern Cape, is an author of two books, Raising the Bar: Hope and Renewal in South Africa (2015) and Manifesto – A New Vision for South Africa (2022). Zibi also had a successful corporate career at Volkswagen South Africa (1998 – 2006), Xstrata (2006 – 2013) and Absa (2016 – 2021). “2024 is our 1994,” he said at the launch.
BUYISWA RAMOKGOPA – National Chairperson
Vuyiswa Ramokgopa is an experienced entrepreneur and business leader with over 15 years’ experience across various industries, including: retail, marketing & design, events management and property investment. She has also held various listed, private & non-profit board roles. She holds a BCOM in Politics, Philosophy and Economics from UCT and has completed executive programs with GIBS and Oxford University.
Having founded her first business in 2009, a retail clothing boutique in downtown JHB, Ramokgopa has subsequently started and led several businesses and held senior leadership roles in the corporate and non-profit sector. She was the CEO of the SA Institute of Black Property Practitioners. She is passionate about economic and spatial justice, the empowerment of youth and women and the development of the African continent. She is also a wife and mother of three.
CLINA STEYN – Deputy National Chairperson
The deputy national chairperson is Cilna Steyn, a successful attorney and entrepreneur. She is a founding member and the Managing Director of SSLR Inc, a renowned property law firm in South Africa. She has established and been involved in several businesses over the years, all with a focus on her area of expertise and passion, property. She is also a founder of the Property Law Alliance, a group of specialist attorneys dedicated to providing real solutions to landlords and rental agents. Steyn is passionate about South Africa and the property industry and is committed to providing practical solutions and training to the legal and property industries of South Africa.
MAKASHULE GANA – Chief Organizer
Makashule Gana is a highly accomplished South African political organizer and activist with over two decades of experience in formal politics. He has held numerous senior political positions, including serving as a member of the National Assembly, the Gauteng Provincial Legislature, and as a Local government Councillor in Johannesburg. Makashule is also highly educated, with a BSc in Mathematics and Computer Science, a BA in Economics and Political Science, a Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration, and recently completed a Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Economics. He is an avid social roadrunner passionate about driving positive change in South Africa. He is a father of two and was born in the village of Lefara in Tzaneen.
MANDLA ISAACS – Head of Policy
Mandla Isaacs is a highly experienced government advisor and public policy professional, currently serving as Head of Policy. He has worked in various national government roles, including as head of research and speechwriting in the Ministries of Home Affairs and Finance, where he contributed to policy development on immigration and economic matters. Isaacs holds an M.A. in International Relations from Wits University and a B.A. in Political Science from Howard University (Washington DC). In 2022, he completed a master’s in public administration and Mason Fellowship in Public Policy and Management at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government, where he focused on economic development and political economy. He is passionate about promoting inclusive economic growth and building a South Africa where everyone can prosper. In his free time, he enjoys watching basketball and football.
IRFAAN MANGENA – Civic Alliances Coordinator
Irfaan Mangena is an accomplished activist, organizer, and community builder. He has served as the Youth Activism Programme Manager at the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation, where he mobilized and developed socio-political consciousness among young people across 30+ community-based youth activist clubs. Through his work at the AKF, he spearheaded the creation of the National Youth Coalition with other activists, building a space for youth to strengthen their voice to create systemic change and further the work of justice.
Mangena’s activism began in school, where he volunteered for community relief projects. He was elected to the executive leadership of Crescents Cricket Club at the age of 16 for his role in coaching and national initiatives through youth participation in sport. He served as the Deputy Chairperson of the Education Students Council at Wits University and was elected to lead the MSA campus chapter before being elected onto the National Union of Muslim Student Associations as its Secretary General.
Mangena holds a Bachelor of Education and Bachelor of Education (Hons) in Education Policy, Leadership and Management from Wits University. In 2022, he completed the Futurelect Public Leadership Fellowship. As the Civic Alliances Coordinator, Mangena continues to be a passionate advocate for social justice and equality.
ESTHER PADI – National Coordinator
Esther Padi is a passionate and young female activist with a strong background as a civil society leader. She is currently the National Coordinator of Innovating Kasi Organisation, which she has been a part of for the past 10 years. Under the organisation’s umbrella, Padi has played a key role in establishing two entities, namely Generation Am Woke and Mother and Daughter Movement.
Tebogo Moalusi is the National Spokesperson.
INSIDE POLITICS
