Rise Mzansi founder and leader Songezo Zibi says the party is not trying to become an opposition to the ANC, but an alternative to it
24 October 2023 - 10:30
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Rise Mzansi is the new kid on South Africa’s heaving political block.
Its founder and leader, former Business Day editor Songezo Zibi, tells Peter Bruce in this edition of Podcasts From the Edge that the party is “onboarding” 20 people a week — they’re not members but people promising electoral support.
If he keeps that up until an election between mid-May and mid-August 2024, he could collect 7% of the vote. And more if the rate of onboarding increases.
Zibi says he isn’t joining the multiparty charter, triggered by DA leader John Steenhuisen’s “moonshot pact” last April. But he will talk to them after the election.
Meanwhile, he says, Rise Mzansi is not trying to become an opposition to the ANC, but an alternative to it. South Africa, he says, desperately needs time out from the ruling party.
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
PODCAST: Time to Rise (Mzansi)?
Rise Mzansi founder and leader Songezo Zibi says the party is not trying to become an opposition to the ANC, but an alternative to it
Rise Mzansi is the new kid on South Africa’s heaving political block.
Its founder and leader, former Business Day editor Songezo Zibi, tells Peter Bruce in this edition of Podcasts From the Edge that the party is “onboarding” 20 people a week — they’re not members but people promising electoral support.
If he keeps that up until an election between mid-May and mid-August 2024, he could collect 7% of the vote. And more if the rate of onboarding increases.
Zibi says he isn’t joining the multiparty charter, triggered by DA leader John Steenhuisen’s “moonshot pact” last April. But he will talk to them after the election.
Meanwhile, he says, Rise Mzansi is not trying to become an opposition to the ANC, but an alternative to it. South Africa, he says, desperately needs time out from the ruling party.
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Also read:
TOM EATON: SA needs hard yards not a heavenly coup
Bad politicians are impeding SA’s prosperity, says Rise Mzansi’s Songezo Zibi
Rise Mzansi will be different to what most expect to see in SA politics
PETER BRUCE: Moonshot pact needs an election face and right now
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