Former Black Consciousness Movement activist Barney Pityana said he would back a new political party by academic Mamphele Ramphele.

Business Day reported that Pityana said Ramphele would become a new voice in a country with an economic development trajectory that needed major changes.

According to the newspaper, Ramphele was expected to launch her new party next month and was widely expected to woo "leaders of good standing".

She said last week she had "noted" reports that she intended forming a political party and that she would speak for herself about her plans. She said she had been having conversations with South Africans about the country's democracy, and been gathering views on tackling social, economic and political problems.