ASA party is ready to contest 2024 polls

NEW kids on the political block Activists South Africa (ASA) envision economic freedom, equal land distribution, and they want to prioritise foreign investment.

ASA was launched last Saturday and currently has over 7 000 members.

ASA president Bongani Caluza said the party was formed when he and eight KZN Actionsa regional leaders left Actionsa due to alleged racism and claims that some women were abused.

Eighty percent of current members jumped ship from Actionsa, and the party's goal was to reach the 50000 mark by February.

Caluza said leaders had formed solid relationships with communities while working for Actionsa. It was therefore appropriate to introduce ASA to them.

“We wanted to continue with the projects and programmes that we had initiated. Most of those people from communities have not met the Actionsa president, even during the floods when he only went to Ballito but neglected to visit the people of umlazi and Inanda,” he said.

“We’ve consulted with traditional leaders, churches, NGOS because leaders of these organisations are activists, and we need to find those who could represent our diverse communities.”

Before forming ASA and quitting Actionsa, Caluza served as an EFF councillor, but left because he did not agree with some of its policies, in particular land expropriation without compensation. Caluza is also a leader within the New Methodist Church.

Instead of infighting and promoting division, Caluza said ASA would be hard at work fighting for vacant land owned by the government to be distributed to the people, for the betterment of education, which should include agricultural studies as early as the foundation phase, as well as for the regulation of churches, which should be utilised as institutions of moral rehabilitation.

“It is a known fact that unemployment is rife. We have teamed up with professionals who will bring solutions to all our problems. The world and investors love South Africa, but they are afraid,” he said. “When there are threats of land expropriation without compensation, high levels of corruption and crime, investors won’t come.

“Our policies are clear. We want to attract foreign investment while the Constitution continues to protect residents.”

ASA initially had a five-year plan, but Caluza said they would be ready for the 2024 elections. “We are with our people 24/7. We will not visit communities only to seek votes.”