JOHANNESBURG, Feb 18: Top former World Bank official and anti-apartheid activist Mamphela Ramphele launched a political party on Monday to challenge the ruling ANC in her highly-anticipated entry into politics.

“Today I announce that I am working with a group of fellow citizens to form a party political platform that will focus on rekindling hope that building the country of our dreams is possible in our lifetime,” Ramphele, 65, said in Johannesburg.Named Agang, a Sepedi word that means “Let's build”, the movement would respond “to the yearnings of citizens who have largely stood on the sidelines for lack of an appropriate political home,” she added.

The party will contest the 2014 national elections.

“We will be going around the country consulting with ordinary citizens, having conversations about rekindling the South African dream,” she told reporters.

A former World Bank managing director and trained medical doctor, Ramphele has been vocal in criticising the African National Congress, which dominates politics, and Monday's announcement ends weeks of speculation she would enter politics in Africa's largest economy.—AFP