{{Short description|Political party in South Africa}} {{Use South African English|date=April 2024}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2024}} {{Infobox political party | name = RISE Mzansi | logo = Rise Mzansi logo.svg | logo_alt = | abbreviation = RISE | logo_size = 175 | colorcode = {{Party color|Rise Mzansi}} | leader = Songezo Zibi | president = | chairperson = Vuyiswa Ramokgopa | secretary = | general_secretary = | first_secretary = | secretary_general = | leader1_title = Chief Organiser | leader1_name = Makashule Gana | leader3_title = Head of Policy | leader3_name = Mandla Isaacs | leader4_title = Deputy Chairperson | leader4_name = Cilna Steyn | presidium = | governing_body = | standing_committee = | position = Centre<ref>{{cite web |date= 2024-04-11 |title= Is South Africa ready for a change in government? |url= https://www.economist.com/middle-east-and-africa/2024/04/11/is-south-africa-ready-for-a-change-in-government |access-date=2025-02-11 |publisher= The Economist |language=en}}</ref> | spokesperson = Gugu Ndima | founder = Songezo Zibi | founded = {{start date and age|2023|04|19|df=yes}} | ideology = Neoliberalism<ref name=":1" /> | headquarters = | international = | seats1_title = National Assembly | seats1 = {{Composition bar|2|400|{{Party color|Rise Mzansi}}}} | seats2_title = National Council of Provinces | seats2 = {{Composition bar|0|90|{{Party color|Rise Mzansi}}}} | seats3_title = {{nowrap|Pan-African Parliament}} | seats3 = {{Composition bar|0|5|{{Party color|Rise Mzansi}}}} {{Nowrap|(South African seats)}} | seats4_title = Provincial Legislatures | seats4 = {{Composition bar|1|487|{{Party color|Rise Mzansi}}}} | website = {{URL|https://www.risemzansi.org/}} | country = South Africa }} '''RISE Mzansi''' ('''RISE''') is a South African political party founded in April 2023. It is led by Songezo Zibi, a former newspaper editor and co-founder of the ''Rivonia Circle'' think tank. The party characterises their ideology as social democratic but has been defined elsewhere as neoliberal.<ref name=":1" />
==Formation== Rise Mzansi was launched on 19 April 2023 at Constitution Hill in Johannesburg. Songezo Zibi was named as party leader.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Former editor Songezo Zibi launches Rise Mzansi |url=https://www.businesslive.co.za/bd/politics/2023-04-19-former-editor-songezo-zibi-launches-rise-mzansi/ |access-date=2023-08-31 |website=BusinessLIVE |date=19 April 2023 |language=en-ZA}}</ref> Zibi is former associate editor of the ''Financial Mail'' and former editor of ''Business Day'' as well as the Rivonia Circle think tank co-founder. The party's national leadership includes former Democratic Alliance public representative Makashule Gana, former anti-apartheid activist Ishmael Mkhabela, Mandla Isaacs former speechwriter for Minister Malusi Gigaba, and Nick Binedell, founder of the GIBS business school.<ref>{{Cite news|title='Return democracy to the people': Rise Mzansi leaders say SA ripe for change |url=https://www.news24.com/news24/politics/political-parties/return-democracy-to-the-people-rise-mzansi-leaders-say-sa-ripe-for-change-20230419 |access-date=2023-08-31 |website=News24 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Goba |first=Thabiso |title=Former news editor Songezo Zibi launches political party, Rise Mzansi |url=https://ewn.co.za/2023/04/19/former-news-editor-songezo-zibi-launches-political-party-rise-mzansi |access-date=2023-08-31 |website=ewn.co.za |language=en}}</ref> The party intends on contesting the 2024 general elections with Zibi as the party's presidential candidate.<ref>{{Cite web |title='The people must govern': Songezo Zibi launches Rise Mzansi |url=https://www.timeslive.co.za/politics/2023-04-19-the-people-must-govern-songezo-zibi-launches-rise-mzansi/ |access-date=2023-08-31 |website=TimesLIVE |date=19 April 2023 |language=en-ZA}}</ref>
In August 2023, Member of Parliament Nomsa Marchesi resigned from the Democratic Alliance and joined Rise Mzansi as the party's Free State convenor.<ref>{{Cite web |title=DA's Nomsa Marchesi joins Rise Mzansi |url=https://www.heraldlive.co.za/news/politics/2023-08-15-das-nomsa-marchesi-joins-rise-mzansi/ |access-date=2023-08-31 |website=HeraldLIVE |date=15 August 2023 |language=en-ZA}}</ref> In November 2023, student leader David Kabwa's party, MOVE SA, announced that it would contest the 2024 elections under the banner of Rise Mzansi.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rise Mzansi to contest 2024 general election with Move SA |url=https://www.businesslive.co.za/bd/politics/2023-11-13-rise-mzansi-to-contest-2024-general-election-with-move-sa/ |access-date=2023-11-17 |website=www.google.com |date=13 November 2023 }}</ref> In January 2024, Khume Ramulifho, another former member of the DA joined the party.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Masuabi |first=Queenin |date=2024-01-16 |title=Ramulifho ditches DA and sets sail with Rise Mzansi |url=https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2024-01-16-ramulifho-ditches-da-citing-critical-party-inconsistencies-and-sets-sail-with-rise-mzansi/ |access-date=2024-01-18 |website=Daily Maverick |language=en}}</ref>
== Politics == Rise Mzansi's leader, Songezo Zibi, has described himself as a social democrat<ref>{{Cite tweet |number=1728122622339166398 |user=Rise_Mzansi |title=Zibi tells JJ that Herman Mashaba did approach him for a partnership but they do not align. He says "I am a social democrat through and through and we didn't align".}}</ref> and used to give other politicians copies of the book ''The Third Man'', a memoir by Peter Mandelson that documents and advocates third way politics as implemented by New Labour in the UK.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |title=Is South Africa ready for a change in government? |url=https://www.economist.com/middle-east-and-africa/2024/04/11/is-south-africa-ready-for-a-change-in-government |access-date=2024-05-07 |newspaper=The Economist |issn=0013-0613}}</ref> He has also written in support of the third way.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=2024-02-09 |title=Why South Africa needs a third way |url=https://www.leadershiponline.co.za/why-south-africa-needs-a-third-way/ |access-date=2024-06-21 |website=Leadership |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>[https://assets-global.website-files.com/6516cf5b930bfa53d3edf835/6616a1789375ea60579d50e5_RISE%20Mzansi%20Media%20Statement%20SZ%2010042024.pdf RISE Mzansi is investing in hope, in fresh ideas and new leaders. Media Statement. 10 April 2024.]</ref>
Zibi describes Rise Mzansi as a "typical European centrist party."<ref name=":0" /> The party has been described by commentators as "leaning towards social democracy"<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2024-02-05 |title=Rise Mzansi manifesto: A promising start marred by the troubling resurgence of racial policies - Hermann Pretorius |url=https://www.biznews.com/sarenewal/2024/02/05/rise-mzansi-manifesto-racial-policies-hermann-pretorius |access-date=2024-05-07 |website=BizNews.com |language=en-GB}}</ref> or as neoliberal with social democratic rhetoric.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=2024-04-28 |title=PART TWO: Rise Mzansi promises social democracy but delivers neoliberalism |url=https://mg.co.za/thought-leader/opinion/2024-04-28-part-two-rise-mzansi-promises-social-democracy-but-delivers-neoliberalism/ |access-date=2024-05-07 |website=The Mail & Guardian |language=en-ZA}}</ref>
The party's manifesto for the 2024 election has been described as focused on professionalising the government of South Africa and reducing corruption.<ref name=":0" />
According to their website, they stand for the following principles:<ref>{{Cite web |title=About |url=https://www.risemzansi.org/about |access-date=2023-11-17 |website=www.risemzansi.org |language=en}}</ref>
* "A constitutional democracy, where the constitution is the supreme law. * A government based on the will of the people and elected by the people. * Free, fair and regular elections that are run independently. * South African people enjoying their freedoms without the fear of criminals. * All South Africans having access to quality basic services and opportunities to live a better life. * Public representatives who serve the people and are accountable, ethical and do their duty with care."
== 2024 campaign == Rise Mzansi's campaign slogan for the general elections is "2024 Is Our 1994", in reference to South Africa's first democratic elections.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mbolekwa |first=Sisanda |title='2024 is our 1994 — a chance at renewal,' says Rise Mzansi |url=https://www.timeslive.co.za/politics/2023-09-28-2024-is-our-1994-a-chance-at-renewal-says-rise-mzansi/ |access-date=2023-11-17 |website=TimesLIVE |date=28 September 2023 |language=en-ZA}}</ref> In April 2023, Rise Mzansi rejected calls to join the Democratic Alliance-initiated "Moonshot Pact" (later Multi-Party Charter) of opposition parties on the grounds that the pact is solely based on removing the ANC and keeping the EFF from national power. Rather than forming itself only around opposing the ANC, Rise Mzansi says it is focused on developing substantive alternative politics and policies.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mahlati |first=Zintle |title='Moonshot pact' should not just focus on unseating ANC, EFF, says Rise Mzansi's Songezo Zibi |url=https://www.news24.com/news24/politics/political-parties/moonshot-pact-should-not-just-focus-on-unseating-anc-eff-says-rise-mzansis-songezo-zibi-20230419 |access-date=2023-11-17 |website=News24 |language=en-US}}</ref>
The party's head of strategic communications was Mark Gevisser, who disclosed this after the elections in October 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gevisser |first=Mark |date=25 November 2024 |title=Fragile unity in SA: Lessons for Rise Mzansi after the 2024 elections |url=https://www.news24.com/news24/opinions/columnists/guestcolumn/mark-gevisser-fragile-unity-in-sa-lessons-for-rise-mzansi-after-the-2024-elections-20241125}}</ref>
In the 2024 general election, Rise Mzansi won two seats in the Parliament (National Assembly) with 0,42% of the vote.<ref>{{cite news |title=NPE Results Dashboard 2024 |url=https://results.elections.org.za/dashboards/npe/ |work=results.elections.org.za}}</ref>
In June 2024, Rise joined the Government of National Unity (GNU), but was not allocated any positions in the Cabinet, nor any deputy ministers.<ref>{{cite web |title=Rise Mzansi: We never demanded any Cabinet positions and we got none |url=https://www.iol.co.za/news/politics/rise-mzansi-we-never-demanded-any-cabinet-positions-and-we-got-none-11fe68da-6d81-4793-a5ae-c681ddcb89e7 |website=iol.co.za |access-date=2 August 2024}}</ref> However, its leader, Songezo Zibi, was appointed as chairperson of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts in the National Assembly.
== Funders == Rise Mzansi was the subject of public controversy due to the apparently large amount of funding it possessed in the absence of any declaration of its funding sources, which led to allegations that it might be funded by a foreign government. Party leaders were evasive when answering questions and initially claimed that the party "is only funded by ordinary South Africans".<ref>{{Cite news |title=Rise Mzansi denies receiving funds from foreign governments |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNw9Y98oBlI |work=eNCA}}</ref>
The IEC released donor information for the period 1 October to 31 December 2023 showing that Rise Mzansi raised R16.7 million: more than any other party during that period.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Davis |first=Rebecca |date=2024-02-29 |title=ANC and DA are the big losers and Rise Mzansi the big winner as political party funding game heats up |url=https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2024-03-01-anc-and-da-are-the-big-losers-and-rise-mzansi-the-big-winner-as-political-party-funding-game-heats-up/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240417141759/https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2024-03-01-anc-and-da-are-the-big-losers-and-rise-mzansi-the-big-winner-as-political-party-funding-game-heats-up/ |archive-date=2024-04-17 |access-date=2024-04-17 |website=Daily Maverick |language=en}}</ref> Of this amount, R15million came from a single donor: billionaire Rebecca Oppenheimer, daughter of apartheid mining magnate Nicky Oppenheimer.<ref>{{Cite web |last=IEC |date=29 February 2024 |title=Electoral Commission Issues Party Funding's Third Quarter Disclosure Report for the 2023-24 Financial Year |url=https://www.elections.org.za/pw/News-And-Media/News-List/News/News-Article/Electoral-Commission-Issues-Party-Funding%E2%80%99s-Third-Quarter-Disclosure-Report-for-the-2023-24-Financial-Year }}</ref> The party subsequently received significant criticism for this, with leader of the opposition EFF party Julius Malema saying:
“How can you give Rise Mzansi so many millions even when they don’t have a track record of being a legitimate political party? Let us unite black people to fight against the Oppenheimer money. Let us not be bought by the Oppenheimers.”<ref>{{Cite news |last=Nyathi |first=Mandisa |date=2 March 2024 |title=Malema lashes out at Oppenheimer donation to Rise Mzansi |url=https://mg.co.za/politics/2024-03-02-malema-lashes-out-at-oppenheimer-donation-to-rise-mzansi/ |work=Mail and Guardian}}</ref>
In the IEC's release of donor information for the first quarter of 2024, immediately before the elections, it was revealed that the party had received a further R33,895,000.<ref>{{Cite web |date=30 August 2024 |title=PUBLISHED DECLARATIONS REPORT |url=https://results.elections.org.za/home/PartyFundingReports/7/1/7_1_Published_Declarations_Report.pdf |website=IEC}}</ref> Again, R15million of this came from Rebecca Oppenheimer. Another R15million came from an unknown, recently registered non-profit organisation called 'We Are The People', leading to further controversy.<ref>{{Cite web |date=24 May 2024 |title= |url=https://x.com/VimleshRajbansi/status/1793905566328246272 |website=X}}</ref> The third largest donor was The Tempyr Trust, an anonymous trust registered in Luxembourg.
== Collaboration with Good == In August 2024, Axolile Notywala, the party's candidate for Premier of the Western Cape during the 2024 Western Cape provincial election, was appointed by Good to fill a vacancy in the City of Cape Town council. Rise Mzansi stated that the arrangement "cements the two parties' commitment to revive conversations about realigning social democratic politics" and did not rule out the possibility of a merger,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dentlinger |first=Lindsay |title=Good Party fills CoCT vacancy with Rise Mzansi's Axolile Notywala |url=https://www.ewn.co.za/2024/08/06/good-party-fills-coct-vacancy-with-rise-mzansis-axolile-notywala |access-date=2024-08-07 |website=EWN |language=en}}</ref> while Good's Brett Herron said that "we are confident that this is only the beginning of a much broader and richer project".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Charles |first=Marvin |title=Rise Mzansi's Axolile Notywala in dual-membership role as he takes on GOOD party council job |url=https://www.news24.com/news24/southafrica/news/rise-mzansis-axolile-notywala-in-dual-membership-role-as-he-takes-on-good-party-council-job-20240806 |access-date=2024-08-07 |website=News24 |language=en-US}}</ref> ==Merger== On 5 October 2025, it was announced that Rise Mzansi would be merging with two other ideologically-similar political parties, Good and Build One South Africa, to form Unite for Change, which was intended to contest the 2026 local government elections. Rise Mzansi will fully merge with the newly formed political party at the next general election.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Patel |first=Faizel |date=2025-10-05 |title=JUST IN: Bosa, GOOD and Rise Mzanzi merge to form Unite for Change |url=https://www.citizen.co.za/news/south-africa/politics/rise-bosa-good-political-parties-merge-form-unite-for-change/ |access-date=2025-10-05 |website=The Citizen |language=en}}</ref>
The merger was put on hold in April 2026, with the three parties stating that "it cannot be implemented effectively under the pressure of an election campaign. As a result, the parties have determined that the best option is to contest the 2026 local government elections individually and pursue consolidation afterward".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ludidi |first=Velani |title=‘Unite for Change’ stalls as BOSA breaks ranks with new merger |url=https://www.news24.com/southafrica/news/unite-for-change-stalls-as-bosa-breaks-ranks-with-new-merger-20260414-1093 |access-date=2026-04-14 |website=News24 |language=en-US}}</ref>
== Election results ==
=== National Assembly elections ===
{{election table}} |- ! Election ! Party leader ! Total votes ! Share of vote ! Seats ! +/– ! Government |- ! 2024 | Songezo Zibi | 67,975 | 0.42%{{efn|From 2024, seats in the National Assembly are determined by a combination of the national ballot, and the nine regional ballots. Only the national ballot figures are shown here.}} | {{Composition bar|2|400|hex=black}} | {{increase}} 2 |{{yes2|ANC–DA–IFP–PA–GOOD–PAC–VF+–UDM–RISE-ALJ coalition government}} |} {{Notelist}}
=== National Council of Provinces elections === {{election table}} |- ! Election ! Total # of<br />seats won ! +/– ! Government |- ! 2024 | {{composition bar|0|90|black}} | New | {{no|Extra-parliamentary}} |}
=== Provincial elections === {{election table}} ! rowspan=2 | Election<ref>{{Cite web |title=NPE Results Dashboard 2024 |url=https://results.elections.org.za/dashboards/npe/ |access-date=2024-06-14 |website=results.elections.org.za}}</ref> ! colspan=2 | Eastern Cape ! colspan=2 | Free State ! colspan=2 | Gauteng ! colspan=2 | Kwazulu-Natal ! colspan=2 | Limpopo ! colspan=2 | Mpumalanga ! colspan=2 | North-West ! colspan=2 | Northern Cape ! colspan=2 | Western Cape |- ! % !! Seats ! % !! Seats ! % !! Seats ! % !! Seats ! % !! Seats ! % !! Seats ! % !! Seats ! % !! Seats ! % !! Seats |- ! 2024 | 0.29 || 0/73 | 0.28 || 0/30 | 0.98 || 1/80 | 0.11 || 0/80 | 0.15 || 0/64 | 0.19 || 0/51 | 0.36 || 0/38 | 0.16 || 0/30 | 0.51 || 0/42 |}
==References== {{Reflist}} {{Politics of South Africa navbox}} {{South African political parties}}
Category:2023 establishments in South Africa Category:Political parties in South Africa Category:Political parties established in 2023 Category:Social democratic parties in South Africa