The Democratic Alliance's Sandra Botha, Kenneth Meshoe from the African Christian Democratic Party and ANC spokesperson Jessie Duarte are among those due to debate national issues with SA National Convention co-founder Terror Lekota in Johannesburg on Wednesday.

Other panellists expected to participate, which begins at 10am, are Independent Democrats leader Patricia de Lille, the Freedom Front Plus's Pieter Mulder and United Democratic Movement secretary general Humphrey Nobongoza.

Former ANC chairperson Lekota has been travelling the country with other disgruntled ANC members like his former defence deputy Mluleki George and axed Congress of SA Trade Unions president Willie Madisha to gauge support for the possible formation of a party in opposition to the ANC.

Lekota was suspended by the party for saying it had moved away from its founding principles. His suspension came after the "recall" of Thabo Mbeki as president in September after corruption charges were set aside against ANC president Jacob Zuma.

At a press conference Lekota said he had "served divorce papers" on the ANC over their differences. This included his belief that more should have been made by the party about pro-Zuma t-shirts and the party's call for a political solution to Zuma's legal travails. At that press conference he said there was a need for a debate on these issues.

Mbhazima Shilowa has also aligned himself with the convention and has resigned as Gauteng premier and from the party.

Lekota's visit to Orange Farm last Friday was marred by jeering and jostling from ANC supporters. This led observers and the ANC itself to issue calls urging respect for political differences ahead of next year's elections.

Sapa