By AGISANANG SCUFF
5 October 2025- On Sunday, three national political parties, BOSA, Rise Mzansi and GOOD, along with their respective leaders, have heed the call of the nation, put aside their differences and taken the formative steps towards building an offering for citizens to unite around in bringing change and hope to villages, towns and cities across South Africa. These leaders said they are proudly announcing the launch of Unite for Change, a new political party and movement that will campaign in the 2026 Local Government Elections under one shared banner.
Dr Mmusi Maimane said they are united for change under one name, one set of electoral lists, one shared platform and one purpose. Maimane said this new political party will be registered with the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), and all current and future parties that join will run for election under the new name and banner.
“Our founding Leaders’ Council brings together a diverse and experienced leadership that recognises that true strength comes from unity of purpose. The members of the Leaders’ Council, in no particular order, are Minister Patricia de Lille (MP), Songezo Zibi (MP), Nobuntu Hlazo-Webster (MP), MEC Vuyiswa Ramokgopa (MPL), Brett Herron (MPP) and I.
“This is a new offering to voters, a credible and consolidated alternative to the lack of real options South Africans face on the ballot paper. It is not a coalition of convenience but a coming together of equals, demonstrating the responsibility of leadership which often requires a different approach to the one we once believed was right,” he said.
Songezo Zibi said as they prepare for the 2026 elections, their campaign will focus on five urgent priorities to uplift municipalities across the country. He said they will focus on capable and ethical leadership to identify and unearth new and existing skills and talent, values-based leadership, and ending cadre deployment and corruption in government. Zibi further said they will also focus on local economic recovery.
“We want to create jobs and growth through local investment. This will include positioning cities as the main drivers of change, the focus is on the digital economy, creative economy, care economy, and tourism economy.
“We will focus on dignity through basic services. Providing what no citizen should go without water, electricity, refuse, reliable public transport, basic housing, and decent healthcare. On safety and justice, we will tackle crime, corruption, and violence at their roots, underpinned by the promotion and protection of the rule of law,” he added.
De Lille said all rules must be applied and adhered to, and those who come here from other countries must do so legally and contribute positively to South Africa. She said they will harness technology to drive smarter resource allocation, enable predictive modelling to anticipate community needs, guide planning, ensure proactive infrastructure maintenance, and make procurement corruption-proof.
“This offer to citizens is based on our shared vision for the South Africa we all deserve, where every person lives a dignified life, every community is served, and every sphere of government is held to account.
“The birth of Unite for Change does not signal the end of its founding parties. Current councillors, MPs and MPLs will continue to serve under existing party brands, as they were elected to do. BOSA, GOOD and RISE Mzansi remain fully intact as entities, with their current electoral mandates and responsibilities honoured in full. This is the first step towards the long-term mission we are on,” said de Lille.
She said it honours a generational mandate to end dysfunction, neglect, and inequality that defines life for far too many in the country. De Lille said it is, but the start signals an open invitation.
“We recognise that politics and politicians alone cannot repair and build South Africa. This work requires all citizens, businesses, academics, civil society organisations, NGOs, and other organised groups to work in unison.
“Today, we invite political parties that share our values. This includes prominent individuals willing to step forward and community organisations and NGOs working for dignity and justice,” she said.
De Lille said they call on South Africans ready to stand as councillor candidates in their own wards and municipalities and citizens who want to roll up their sleeves and campaign to build the country. She said the door is wide open, with conversations already underway with others to grow this movement.
The Guardian 