ARRC is a new political party, established in 2025, born out of a deep conviction that South Africa deserves a new political direction one that puts ordinary people first, restores confidence in government and creates real opportunities for every South African.
ARRC was founded on the belief that politics must once again become a vehicle for service, opportunity, dignity and accountability, rather than a platform for political privilege.
We are a new party, but we are not new to the realities facing our communities.
We understand the frustration of young people who complete their studies but cannot find work. We understand families who struggle with the cost of living, communities living with crime and failing infrastructure, small businesses battling to survive, and citizens who have lost faith in institutions that are supposed to serve them.
ARRC exists to change that.
Our name represents a commitment to building a bridge between where South Africa is today and the South Africa we know is possible a South Africa where government works, communities are safe, businesses can grow, young people have opportunities and leaders are held accountable.
A PARTY LED BY A NEW GENERATION
ARRC is proudly led by young people who believe that the future of South Africa cannot be designed without the generation that will inherit it.
Our leadership brings together young professionals, entrepreneurs, community leaders and South Africans who understand that leadership is not about age or political status it is about competence, courage, integrity and a willingness to serve.
We are building a political culture where young people are not simply mobilised to attend rallies or vote during elections.
Young people must be decision makers.
They must be represented in government, equipped with skills, supported in business, given opportunities to work and be empowered to participate meaningfully in the economy.
ARRC believes that South Africa’s greatest resource is not only its minerals or natural wealth it is its people.
WHY ARRC AND WHY NOW?
South Africans are asking difficult but necessary questions:
Where are the jobs?
Why are our municipalities failing our communities?
Why do people feel unsafe in their own neighbourhoods? Why are young people struggling to enter the economy?
Why does corruption continue to undermine public trust? Why does government often feel distant from the people it is supposed to serve?
ARRC believes these questions deserve more than political slogans.
They require action, accountability and leadership that is prepared to take responsibility.
We are entering politics because we believe South Africa needs a new political generation, one prepared to move beyond the politics of blame and towards the politics of solutions.
ARRC does not promise perfection.
We promise service, accountability, transparency and hard work.
The founding vision of ARRC is built around five national priorities:
– Jobs and Economic Growth
– Functional Municipalities
– Safe Communities
– Youth and Skills Development
– Honest and Accountable Government
– ARRC believes that South Africa’s political future requires leadership that listens before it leads, places communities at the centre of decision making and measures its success through tangible improvements in the lives of citizens.
The organisation’s emergence is therefore positioned not simply as the formation of another political party, but as a call for a New Dispensation one focused on rebuilding trust between government and citizens and creating practical pathways towards a more prosperous, safe and accountable South Africa.
A NEW DISPENSATION
ARRC represents a new political dispensation built around a simple principle:
The people come first.
We believe politics should not divide South Africans according to race, class, geography, age or political history.
Our mission is to build a South Africa where every person has the opportunity to participate, contribute and prosper.
We want to build a movement that listens before it speaks, serves before it demands and delivers before it celebrates.
ARRC is not here simply to become another political party.
We are here to help build a new political culture.
A culture where leadership means service.
Where public money is treated as public trust.
Where young people are empowered rather than patronised.
Where businesses are encouraged to create jobs.
Where municipalities work.
Where communities are safe.
And where citizens can once again believe that government belongs to them.
THE FOUNDING LEADERSHIP OF ARRC
The founder Thabiso and leaders of ARRC are young South African political figures with previous experience in the political space as a members of the Congress of the People COPE) under the leadership of the late Mr Mosiuoa Lekota and SARA.
Mabetwa’s and the leadershipʼs political journey has contributed to their understanding of South Africa’s democratic landscape, the challenges facing political organisations and the expectations of citizens from those entrusted with public leadership.
The decision to establish the African Royal Rainbow Congress is rooted in the belief that South Africa requires a renewed approach to leadership, governance and national development.
The ARRC team is committed to building the organisation from the ground up and taking its message directly to South Africans.
PRESIDENT
Thabiso Mabetwa
Founder and President of ARRC. Mabetwa brings political experience and a commitment to building a new political home founded on accountability, economic opportunity and service to communities.
DEPUTY PRESIDENT CIVIL AFFAIRS
Calvin Nkosi
Responsible for civil affairs and strengthening ARRC’s engagement with communities and citizens.
DEPUTY PRESIDENT BUSINESS AFFAIRS
Lobisa Chokwe
Responsible for business affairs, with a focus on strengthening relationships with entrepreneurs, businesses and the private sector and advancing economic participation.
NATIONAL CHAIRPERSON
Aaron Matsimela
Responsible for providing organisational leadership and strengthening the party’s structures and internal coordination
DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON
Tidimalo Tsatsi
Supports the National Chairperson in strengthening organisational structures and ensuring effective party coordination
SECRETARY GENERAL
Johanna Mapeko
Responsible for the administration, organisational development and coordination of the party’s national structures
DEPUTY SECRETARY
Mabel Makibelo
Supports the Secretary General in the effective administration and coordination of ARRC’s organisational structures
TREASURY GENERAL
Thabiso Ntshabeleng
Responsible for the party’s financial administration, financial governance and responsible stewardship of ARRC’s resources.
OUR MESSAGE TO SOUTH AFRICA
ARRC understands that trust is not demanded.
Trust must be earned.
As a new political party, we know that we have to prove ourselves through our actions, our leadership and our commitment to the communities we seek to serve.
We are asking South Africans to look beyond political labels and listen to a new generation of leaders who believe that our country can do better.
We are asking young people to believe in their own potential.
We are asking entrepreneurs to believe that government can become a partner in growth.
We are asking communities to believe that functional government is possible.
And we are asking every South African who feels that their voice has been ignored to join us in building something new.
ARRC is a new party
A new generation
A new political culture
A new dispensation
ARRC GOVERNMENT MUST ONCE AGAIN SERVE THE PEOPLE.
PRESS CONFERENCE INVITATION:
Date: Wed 2 September 2026
Time: 2 September
Venue – regal in hotel ( Midrand)