Ramphele to make announcement on political plans next week

Former anti-apartheid activist Mamphela Ramphele will make an formal announcement on her political plans next Monday, a consultancy firm said.

FTI Consulting said in a statement on Monday that Ramphele would make her announcement at the Women's Gaol, Constitution Hill, in Johannesburg.

On a recent visit to the United States, Ramphele reportedly said she was collecting money for a political party and was "entering politics to save her country". She also rallied the support of ambassadors.

Ambassador to Argentina and former Democratic Alliance leader Tony Leon said two people at Ramphele's meetings in the US had confirmed this to a Sunday newspaper.

DA leader Helen Zille tried to get Ramphele to join the party last year, but she declined and formed the Citizens' Movement, a non-governmental organisation.

According to reports, Ramphele thought stronger opposition was needed after President Jacob Zuma was re-elected African National Congress president at the party's elective conference in Mangaung in December.

On January 29, Ramphele said she would herself announce if she was going to start a political party.

"I have always been clear in articulating my views on matters of public importance, and will speak on my own behalf about any decisions I might take about my future engagements," she said in a statement.

She said she had "noted" reports that she intended forming a political party.

"I would like to place it on record that I have been having conversations with South Africans from all walks of life about the state of democracy in South Africa," Ramphele said.

"These conversations are in line with the national dialogue I am seeking to promote through my latest book, Conversations with my Sons and Daughters."