Former African National Congress (ANC) secretary-general Ace Magashule announced the creation of a new political party, the African Congress for Transformation (ACT).
Ace Magashule new party: Here’s what we know about the African Congress for Transformation
The far-left party’s formation was unveiled during a press conference on Wednesday, held on Vilikazi Street in Soweto.
Magashule revealed that the decision to establish the ACT followed consultations with various individuals, including activists, fellow party members, and former presidents Thabo Mbeki and Jacob Zuma.
He emphasised that the ANC has experienced internal conflicts and has drifted away from its original principles, contributing to his decision to launch the new party.
During the announcement, Magashule referred to his new political endeavour as a “ship of freedom,” one guided by the will of the people.
He expressed his intention to rejuvenate the party’s focus on the foundational values that the ANC was built upon.
A political leader closely associated with the new party disclosed to News24 that the ACT would comprise notable figures from both the ANC and the Pan Africanist Congress (PAC), positioning itself as a distinctly left-leaning entity.
The source highlighted that Magashule explored all possible avenues within the ANC before determining that forming a new party was the most viable option.
How Magashule ended up as a standalone ANC rival
Magashule’s political career has been marked by both prominence and controversy.
He faced corruption charges related to the Free State asbestos tender scandal and was suspended from the ANC in May 2021 due to his legal predicament.
The ANC’s internal procedures mandated that leaders facing criminal charges step down from their roles while legal proceedings were ongoing.
Magashule’s refusal to comply with the suspension led to a series of confrontations with the party leadership, including an unsuccessful attempt to suspend President Cyril Ramaphosa.
This resulted in his expulsion from the ANC in June 2023, following a disciplinary process where he was found guilty of misconduct.
Throughout his tenure within the ANC, Magashule aligned himself with the radical economic transformation (RET) faction, which advocated for leftist policies to address economic inequality.
His rise to the position of secretary-general in 2017 was supported by the RET group, which opposed Cyril Ramaphosa’s presidency in favour of a more radical agenda.
The emergence of the African Congress for Transformation as a leftist political entity is expected to introduce a new dynamic to South African politics, potentially rivalling the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) led by Julius Malema.
However, sources close to Magashule have denied any alliance with EFF members in this new political venture.