In 2022/23 former DA leader Mmusi Maimane's Build One South Africa received R1...

There are now four former ANC members heading opposition parties: Jardine (Change Starts Now); Mmusi Maimane (Build One South Africa); Bantu Holomisa (United Democratic Movement); and Mosiuoa Lekota (Congress of the People)...

The most promising of the newcomers are Songezo Zibi's Rise Mzansi Mmusi Maimane's Build One South Africa (Bosa) and Jardine's Change Starts Now – none of which are yet represented in national or regional assemblies...

That leaves 10% to be shared among smaller parties and the vibrant new start-ups and proto-parties such as Action South Africa (estimated 5%) Rise Mzansi and former DA leader Mmusi Maimane's Build One South Africa (Bosa) (AC Vol 64 No 8 Doubts greet the DA's 'moonshot' coalition)...

Others said that if it wants to attract black voters it would need to explain the exodus from its ranks of impressive black leaders such as Lindiwe Mazibuko Mmusi Maimane Phumzile van Damme Mbali Ntuli Herman Mashaba and Bongani Baloyi...

New entrantsThe 2024 race which includes 37 political parties will also see several independent candidates such as: veteran activist Zackie Achmat; and former Business Day editor and founder of the Rivonia Circle think-tank Songezo Zibi; and Build One South Africa's leader Mmusi Maimane...

On 19 January another coalition of political parties (Mmusi Maimane's Build One SA the IFP and UDM) and the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA) launched a civil action led by Mabuza Attorneys against Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan demanding there should be no power-cuts without 'procedural fairness' and suspending plans for tariff hikes...

Other leadership hopefuls in the 35-50 age group include former Democratic Alliance (DA) heavyweight Lindiwe Mazibuko former DA leader Mmusi Maimane and former deputy Finance Minister and state capture whistleblower Mcebisi Jonas...

His predecessor Mmusi Maimane will test the popularity of his Movement for One South Africa under the banner of local ratepayers' associations rather than forming a new political party...

This steady exodus that began with the resignation of Lindiwe Mazibuko as the DA leader in the National Assembly in 2014 the departure of then Cape Town mayor Patricia de Lille in late 2018 followed by former party leader Mmusi Maimane in 2019 (AC Vol 61 No 4 Opposition in flux & Vol 60 No 23 The DA's race dilemma)...