An Interesting Day in South Africa Politics before the 2014 Elections

Cape Town - DA leader Helen Zille has announced that Agang SA leader Mamphela Ramphele will stand as the DA's presidential candidate in the 2014 general election.

The DA and Agang SA made the announcement at a Cape Town hotel on Tuesday morning.

DA leader Helen Zille said she was happy to announce that Ramphele "has accepted the DA's invitation to stand as our presidential candidate in the 2014 general election".

"We've come a long way together," she said, adding this is a "game-changing moment for South Africa".

Ramphele said she was "honoured" to accept the invitation extended by the Democratic Alliance to stand as its presidential candidate. "I believe this decision is in the best interests of South Africa," she said.

Earlier, DA federal chairperson Wilmot James said the axis of South African politics will shift. "On this day we are redefining the way in which politics will be conducted in South Africa."

Johannesburg - Former president Thabo Mbeki might return to Parliament as an MP if certain branches of the ANC in Gauteng have their way.

Mbeki’s name appeared on the province’s list of 200 candidates for the National Assembly, The Star reported.

The newspaper said the list was filled with names of people said to be President Jacob Zuma’s political rivals.

 Gauteng also nominated Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe to be an MP.

Members of Mbeki Cabinet – former public works minister Thoko Didiza and former provincial and local government minister Sydney Mufamadi - also made the list.

The ANC’s national list conference is due to start in Irene, south of Pretoria on Monday.