The Democratic Alliance (DA) leader Helen Zille and Agang leader Mamphela Ramphele, announced that Ramphele will stand as DA’s presidential candidate in the 2014 general elections,at Cape Town hotel earlier today. This revelation came after many speculations and rumors about a possible merger between Agang SA and DA.

“I can announce today that Dr Mamphela Ramphele has accepted the DA’s invitation to stand as our presidential candidate in the 2014 general elections. I know Mamphela as a principled fiercely determined person who loves our country very deeply… I can think of no better person to be our presidential candidate in this crucial, tipping point election.” said Zille earlier today.

In 2012 Helen Zille offered an invitation for Mamphela Ramphele to join DA but opted to launch her own political party – Agang SA instead In February last year. Agang which means ‘build’ in Sotho language, the party that promises to ‘Restore promise of freedom ‘ is the second party to merge with the DA and leader of the party being given a leading role.

Dr Mamphela Ramphele said: “I believe that this decision is the best interest of South Africa as we head into turbulent waters, today is another astonishing moment in what we offer to the people of South Africa and once again to the world … we are a government-in-waiting.”.

In 2010, when DA and Independent Democrats (ID) announced their merger in 2010 it was seen as the first step by Helen Zille to create a strong opposition party, well equipped to take on the African National Congress (ANC).

The leader of ID, Patricia de Lille was then selected to be one of the DA’s Mayoral candidate for the Local government elections in 2011. She won the elections and is currently the Mayor of Cape Town after DA won the city.

DA -as the opposition party and with Mamphela Ramphele as the Presidential candidate, will sure attract a lot of voters as a large number of people believed in Agang to restore freedom and fight for Mandela’s legacy. As Mamphela believes in transparency, she will fit in just fine with the DA as it always fights for that. On Agang SA Facebook page, supporters are happy with her move while some are not. On Agang

This is a strategic move from Zille, as it will attract lots of people especially after she made a statement that a lot of people saw as a racist comment about ‘education refugees’ and a lot of people are scared to vote for DA as they believe it would bring back apartheid.

With the Agang SA merging with DA, the ID’s merger with DA will come to an end just before this year’s national and provincial elections. President Jacob Zuma is yet to announce the election date.

Sources: News24 , City press, BDlive,

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