Songezo Zibi, the National Leader of the political party RISE Mzansi, is a name resonating across South Africa’s political sphere.
Who is Songezo Zibi? – Here’s everything we know about the RISE Mzansi leader
Born on 27 December 1975, in Mqanduli, Transkei, Zibi’s early life in the Eastern Cape laid the foundation for his political insights.
Raised by his grandparents, Christopher and Lynette Zibi, community leaders in Zwelitsha, he was exposed to the harsh realities of rural apartheid South Africa.
His mother, a teacher, and his uncle, an anti-apartheid activist with uMkhonto Wesizwe, further influenced his political consciousness.
Tragically, his uncle was killed by South African Defence Force (SANDF) Special Forces in 1982, an event that deeply impacted Zibi.
Educationally, Zibi’s journey began in local schools and culminated in a Bachelor of Commerce from Nelson Mandela University.
His university years were marked by active involvement in student politics, which sharpened his leadership and debating skills.
Zibi’s professional career is as diverse as it is impressive. He first ventured into communications with Volkswagen South Africa, followed by a stint with Xstrata.
His journalistic acumen came to the fore at Financial Mail, where he served as an associate editor before taking the helm at Business Day, one of South Africa’s leading business newspapers.
Zibi, husband to Babalwa Zibi and a father of three. also served as a spokesperson for Absa and co-founded the think tank Rivonia Circle in 2021, aiming to deepen political participation in the country.
In April 2023, Zibi co-founded RISE Mzansi, a social democratic political party. Under his leadership, the party aims to contest in the 2024 South African general elections.
What is RISE Mzansi’s manifesto?
RISE Mzansi’s focus is on resetting South Africa’s political direction with new energy, leadership, and a youthful perspective.
Zibi, with his editor-turned-politician profile, believes that the current political system has faltered in delivering economic justice and national building, and it’s time for a significant change.
RISE Mzansi’s mission under Zibi’s leadership is to bring about a government “of the people, by the people, for the people,” replacing what he perceives as a dominance of political parties over people’s interests.
The party’s manifesto reflects a societal mission to return democracy and governance to the South African people, emphasising involvement and action.
Understanding South Africa’s election system is crucial to grasping the potential impact of small parties like RISE Mzansi.
The country follows a proportional representation system, where parties gain seats in proportion to the number of votes they receive in the election.
For small parties to secure a seat in Parliament, they must garner a significant portion of the vote, a challenging but not insurmountable task in a landscape dominated by larger parties.
The emergence of parties like RISE Mzansi under the leadership of figures like Songezo Zibi adds a vibrant and dynamic dimension to South Africa’s political discourse, potentially reshaping the future of its democracy.