Rise Mzansi, GOOD, and BOSA launch new political party

Political parties Rise Mzansi, Build One South Africa (BOSA), and the GOOD Party have announced a new political party: Unite for Change.

This was announced during a media briefing in Johannesburg on Sunday, 5 October..

These parties, led by SCOPA chair Songezo Zibi, SCOA chair Mmusi Maimane, and Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille, respectively, amassed a combined 340,000 votes in the 2024 general elections.

This gave them a collective five seats in the National Assembly.

BOSA deputy president Nobuntu Hlazo-Webster said Unite for Change will see the three movements campaign under the same banner for the upcoming 2026 Local Government Elections.

Hlazo-Webster said that the three parties will remain completely intact and continue to serve those that voted for them in the previous elections.

Rise Mzansi national spokesperson Mabine Seabe said that Unite for Change’s primary focus will be on “fixing municipalities and rehabilitating government by directly changing communities.”

As far as leadership is concerned, De Lille stated that the party has opted for a leadership council rather than a singular leader.

This will comprise the three party leaders, as well as Hlazo-Webster, Rise Mzansi representative Vuyiswa Ramogkopa, and GOOD’s secretary general Brett Herron.

However, United for Change’s leadership made it clear that they intend to expand this coalition movement to include more parties in the build-up to the 2026 LGE.

Because Unite for Change was established with a sole focus on the municipal elections, the BOSA leader said that the coalition will have no bearing on the party’s respective involvement in the Government of National Unity (GNU).

Both Rise Mzansi and GOOD are part of the GNU while BOSA is not.

Maimane said that the upcoming elections will be a significant turning point for the country’s democracy.

“I believe that it will change our nation in two ways. Firstly, it must be governed differently, and secondly, it must be governed by different people,” he said.

The leaders of Rise Mzansi, BOSA, and GOOD all appealed to people who believe that they can make a difference in their communities and municipal areas to raise their hands and join Unite for Change’s fight.

This was particularly directed at South Africa’s youth.

“Young leaders must take over. However, they must be elected, not selected. We are appealing to young people to stick up their hands and help to make a difference,” De Lille said.

Zibi added that it is time for a new generation of young leaders, saying that the youth need to rise and build the South Africa they want by all democratic means.

“Our fundamental failure is that South Africa does not have enough political capability within the political sphere. The talent that is needed sits outside,” he said.