Mamphela Ramphele has identified social media as an important tool for rallying support following the launch of her party political platform yesterday.
After the much anticipated announcement by Ramphele revealing Agang from Constitution Hill in Johannesburg, she told reporters: “You can multiply your troops very quickly on social media.”
Ramphele added: “We have a team of dedicated professionals. Thank God for information technology.”
Agang SA is Sepedi and translates to “build South Africa”, but the name may change when it is launched as an Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) registered political party to contest next year’s elections.
“What I am going to be doing, and have been doing, is consulting every citizen because they deserve as much attention,” said Ramphele. This consultation process will be made easier through social media.
Ramphele said support has been coming from “caring” South Africans who are “frightened of the future” and have contributed funds in their own capacity.
The University of Cape Town raised R77 million (US$8.6 million approximately) in 18 months for a library, though this was reportedly done without the help of social media site Twitter.
However, social media could serve as a means to generate funding and further drive Agang’s political message, which is to save the country from the African National Congress (ANC).
