Shilowa announces new party
2008-11-01 20:57
Johannesburg - An ANC breakaway group will launch a new political party in Bloemfontein in December, former Gauteng premier Mbhazima Shilowa said at the conclusion of a convention to discuss their concerns about the ruling party.
"I stand here today on behalf of this preparatory committee to say not only do we intend to tackle it (the ANC), we intend to win the next election," Shilowa said to loud applause from around 5 000 delegates from around the country
A name for the party would be selected on Sunday after input from provincial representatives.
"By then each province must have discussed, what do you think our son or daughter should be called, we can't be a no-brand name we need to have colours, we need to have symbols so that we can be known," he said.
"We can't be underground in a democratic South Africa."
'Shikoleki'
He joked that it could be called "Shikoleki", a cobble of his name, that of former ANC chairperson and defence minister Terror Lekota and former deputy defence minister Mluleki George who have been at the forefront of the dissident group.
"Let's go out, let's mobilise," said Shilowa, who resigned as premier of Gauteng to throw his weight behind the movement after saying he was unhappy with the way former president Thabo Mbeki had been treated when removed as president by the party.
This was after ANC president Jacob Zuma's corruption case was set aside and the judgment questioned the "inappropriately" close relationship between Mbeki and the National Prosecuting Authority.
The inauguration would be on December 16, a public holiday.
"We are going to launch it on the 16th in Free State."
- SAPA