Many South Africans appreciated the bravery shown by Dr Mamphela Ramphele in indicating that she would, in future, launch a party to contest in the 2014 elections. But far fewer citizens truly believe that the initiative, currently fashioned as a platform, will provide the catalyst needed to stimulate the development of an opposition that is truly able to challenge the African National Congress’s political dominance. Indeed, many of the biggest sceptics can be found within the very opposition parties that require unifying.