No infighting in Agang, say members

"Agang is united, consistent and solid. There is no infighting in Agang," party member Donald Tontsi told reporters in Johannesburg on Wednesday.  "To say there is, is nonsensical."

 

Democratic Alliance leader Helen Zille on Tuesday announced that Agang's leader Mamphela Ramphele would be the DA's presidential candidate in the upcoming general elections.   Ramphele had made the decision without consulting Agang, its members said.  

 

Agang SA's Gauteng chairman Andries Tlouamma said the decision taken by Ramphele could not be made by an individual, and therefore there was no merger. "That is going to be our decision, not her decision. We are the custodians of this party," he said. "There are structures in a party. There are processes to follow to arrive at certain decisions." 

 

Tlouamma said disagreements were part of politics.   "In a political party, when we disagree, it does not mean we don't like each other. Even if we have issues to raise with our leader, we will do so without fear," he said.  "A political party that takes decisions without robust debate is nothing but a dictatorship." 

 

He said the future of Agang depended on its members.  The media briefing was held by representatives of all Agang's provincial structures. Tlouamma said Agang's members across the country were unhappy with Ramphele's unilateral decision, but they did not believe she betrayed them.

 

"We don't know where that word came from... We do not feel betrayed.... She is a leader of substance, a leader of virtue." He said Agang was giving Ramphele an opportunity to consult with them urgently about her decision. 

 

 "The consultation was not made. We are still waiting for a consultation with our leader.   "We don't believe our leader deserted us. But the decision must come from us." Tlouamma said it respected Ramphele and appreciated her for founding Agang.  

 

Asked about the merger with the DA, Tlouamma said: "We don't want to talk about the DA. We only want to talk about our leader."  Ramphele would continue to be the face of Agang, Tlouamma said.
 

 

-  Sapa