New party enters election high season

The fledling Renewed South Africa Party (RSA.P) seems to have broken new ground in Modimolle, lapping up some prominent ANC leaders in the process.

The RSA.P is headed by Limpopo’s Professor CJ Roelofse, who has since relocated to KZN.

The RSA.P unveiled its Modimolle interrim leadership at the township’s Extension 9 on Saturday 25 August.

The provisional area task team leadership comprised of, among others, chairperson Johannes Sekhaulelo and secretary Hosea Moutlana.

Sekhaulelo was once ANC Alf Makaleng branch chairperson in Modimolle, and so was Moutlana, too.

Hellen Mokwena is the treasurer for the RSA.P interim area task team, while Selina Nsaliwa was unveiled as additional member.

Sekhaulelo said he had to seek a new political home after his ANC membership was terminated without any prior notice or reasons for such action.

“I wanted to continue serving my own community, which is why I chose to join Renewed South Africa Party. The party has made a promise through its draft policy that it will work hard to ensure there are positive changes in the lives of South Africans,” he said.

He said as the interim chairperson he was committing himself to being the foot soldier who would serve the community in his ward, and Modimolle as a whole.

RSA.P Steering committee deputy chairperson Sipho Maluleka said the party’s main idea is to “shrink” government and increase development.

Maluleka said instead of establishing branches, the RSA.P preferred a collective of “circles” whereby ordinary people had the power to govern.

According to the draft policy document of the organisation, one of the main objectives of the RSA.P was to campaign for semi-autonomous regions.

RSA.P general-secretary, Melidah Mashamaite, presided over proceedings in Modimolle.

— The BEAT