Former ANC secretary-general Ace Magashule has turned down an invitation to contest South Africa’s 2029 presidential elections under a new movement pioneered by former Mpumalanga MK Party leader Mary Phadi.
This was revealed by Phadi, who added that they were now girding their loins to approach former Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng and former EFF spokesperson and MP Mbuyiseni Ndlozi to be the presidential face of the movement, which might change how South Africans choose leaders.
“We’ve already identified Mogoeng Mogoeng and will be approaching him soon. We initially tried Ace Magashule, but he stated he was not interested, so now we are busy with a list we can present to the nation after next year’s local government elections,” she said.
Asked why Magashule declined, Phadi said the former Free State premier said he was too long in the tooth to be president in 2029. “Magashule told us that he is turning 70, and it won’t make sense for him to run the country at that age,” she said.
She said the group, which includes people from all walks of life, is also considering approaching Ndlozi, who has since shifted his focus to exploring the media space.
According to Phadi, her mission transcends party lines and factional politics. She said she is mobilising citizens to look beyond traditional party structures and support a 2029 presidential candidate fit to become the country’s number one citizen.
“We are searching for candidates, both from political parties and independent citizens. We will need voters to nominate candidates they feel are worthy of steering South Africa in the right direction.”
Asked how the process would work, Phadi said it would resemble Idols, the DStv entertainment show, with candidates engaging in televised debates – similar to how presidential hopefuls are chosen in the US.
“We are going to buy airtime on TV to push this programme and make it a reality,” said Phadi, who is a founder and president of the Truckers Association of South Africa.
Phadi also revealed that she was recently approached to help form a new political party with the Afrika Mayibuye Movement’s axed first deputy president, Dr Nolubabalo Mcinga. She described their September 30 meeting in Randburg as a “carefully arranged” encounter.
“She wanted to collaborate with me,” Phadi said, denying that she initiated the meeting.
“When we met, I said to her, ‘I don’t want to lie to you; at the moment where I’m seated, for 2026, I’m willing to join any political party.’”
Phadi said Mcinga later admitted that she had disclosed their private discussion to Mayibuye president Floyd Shivambu, a move Phadi regarded as ill-advised.
“I said, ‘No, no. You made a big mistake.’ I had asked her not to disclose the information, but she said she was part of [the Mayibuye] stakeholder management team. I had warned her because she was recruiting me for a new political party. That’s why I never shared the information with you as part of the media. She exposed herself [to Floyd].”
Mcinga has since been removed from her position after being accused of holding unsanctioned meetings with former president Jacob Zuma and Phadi.
Mcinga admitted she met Phadi. “Yes, I did report my meeting with Ms. Phadi. I am transparent about my engagements because I dislike gossip, and unfortunately, Mayibuye has developed a culture of gossip and factionalism that I do not subscribe to,” Mcinga said.
“I am not a factionalist, and I reject any suggestion that I invited Ms. Phadi to collaborate in forming a new political party.”.
Magashule’s phones were off when Sunday World attempted to contact him for comment.
