The impending collapse of the house of Mamphela Ramphele: Agang SA

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Periodical article

Title:	The impending collapse of the house of Mamphela Ramphele: Agang SA
Editor:	Maserumule, Mashupye H.
Year:	2015
Periodical:	Journal of African Elections (ISSN 1609-4700)
Volume:	14
Issue:	1
Pages:	85-105
Language:	English
Geographic term:	South Africa
Subjects:	elections 2014 political parties
About person:	Mamphela Aletta Ramphele (1947-)
Abstract:	In the 2014 general elections Agang SA won 52 350 votes (0.28% of the 18 654 771 votes cast) and only two seats in the National Assembly of South Africa. The electoral performance of the newly-formed party was dismal, especially in comparison to that of its fellow debutant, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF). This article explores the reasons for Agang SA's poor performance and concludes that they may include both the fact that its political message did not resonate with the wider population and the fact that its campaign strategy was ineffectual. However, it would seem that the main reason for the party's failure was that it was formed around the character and personal successes of one individual - its founder, Dr Mamphela Ramphele. Ramphele's reputation wittingly or unwittingly shaped the character and orientation of Agang SA, and her political indiscretions compromised its electoral potential. The future of Agang SA is bleak and its collapse almost inevitable. Bibliogr., sum. [Journal abstract]