Agang to Launch as a Political Party in Pretoria on Saturday 22nd June, 2013

Dr Mamphela Ramphele invites all South Africans seeking change to attend

Outlines vision to "restore the promise of our founding principles and values so that every South African can fulfill their potential"

Dr Mamphela Ramphele, Leader of Agang SA, has issued an invitation to South Africans to attend the launch of Agang as a political party in Pretoria on Saturday 22nd June.  In the invitation, issued first to Agang's thousands of volunteers, Dr Ramphele said:

"On my listening tour of our country over the last three months it has become clear that many, many South Africans from all walks of life believe that South Africa is on the wrong path. It is nearly 20 years since freedom and people have told me that they have waited too long for decent jobs, education, a safe and secure places to live and an economy that creates opportunities for all. We didn't fight and die in the struggle against apartheid so that millions of South Africans should still be living like forgotten people.

"Citizens are angry and are quite clear as to the problem. A massive failure of governance and accountability has allowed corruption and a culture of impunity to spread throughout South African government and society. The Auditor General tells us that in 2012 over R20 billion of public money was wasted through corruption, negligence and incompetence, stealing vital services from our citizens and investment from our economy. Corruption on this scale is a betrayal of our democratic principles and it threatens the future stability and prosperity of our country.

"South Africa is at a crossroads, and if we don't change course now rampant corruption will rob our country of its full potential and rob every man, woman and child of their future.

"We must act now. It is time to restore the promise of our founding principles and values so that every South African can fulfill their potential and our nation can finally become one of the great countries of the world.

"Agang believes in a government that listens to the people and answers to the people, a government that lives by our founding principles and makes decisions based on what is best for the next generation, not for short-term gain. We believe in placing people at the centre of our society by empowering active citizens with the education and skills to hold politicians to account, and to fully participate in our economy.

"Agang believes that governance and accountability can tackle corruption and that we must begin by restoring integrity at the heart of public and private life. We must protect our constitutional democracy and respect the rule of law.

"Today I would like to extend an invitation to all South Africans who share our vision to join us as we celebrate the launch of Agang in Pretoria on Saturday 22nd June and begin our journey towards change in 2014.

"Places will be limited so I urge all citizens interested in attending to RSVP when further details are announced shortly. Follow us at www.agangsa.org.za, on Facebook, Twitter, Mxit and biNu and look out for details in the media.

"I look forward to welcoming my fellow citizens to Pretoria and to building South Africa together."

Statement issued by AgangSA, May 28 2013

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