Blog 4 Agang in South Africa

  South Africa has had it fair share of troubles, Apartheid being one of them. Dr. Mamphela Ramphele, a 65 year old woman has always been a political activist fight against apartheid. Dr. Ramphele has started a new political party to fight against the existing political party the African National Congress. Dr. Ramphele’s new political party is called “Agang” a word that means build.  The party is an effort to challenge the dominance that the African National Congress has held in national elections to 1994. Since the end of apartheid inequality has grown in South Africa.  In the past Dr. Ramphele even been exiled for her involvement in politics. Dr. Ramphele would like to help build the education that she currently feels is failing South Africa’s youth. Dr. Ramphele stated “The dream has faded for the many living in poverty and destitution in our increasingly unequal society…. We have failed you. We have failed to build for you an education and training system to prepare you for life in the 21st century.”

  This article discusses many of the inequalities that are happening in South Africa, such as the poor education system. The article even mentions how the current president spends a lot of money on his personal security, but fails to spend the money on the country. One thing that was shocking to me is that the person heading this new political party is a woman. It seems that in matters of inequality women tend to be a part of the group that is being oppressed. Mamphela Ramphele is a medical doctor and has held several “high” positons in South Africa. Ramphele plans to work along with Democratic Alliance which is the ANC’s main opposition party. Taking over political power will be avery difficult task especially since the ANC has been in control for almost the past 20 years.