Rise Mzansi, BOSA, and GOOD Party Unite to Form "Unite for Change"
Three South African opposition parties, Rise Mzansi, Build One South Africa (BOSA), and the GOOD Party, have merged to form a new political party called Unite for Change. The announcement was made on Sunday, October 5, 2025, in Johannesburg, ahead of the 2026 local government elections.
The Formation of Unite for Change
The new party, Unite for Change, will be registered with the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) and will contest the 2026 local government elections under a single banner. This move aims to consolidate resources and present a stronger, unified front to challenge the dominance of established parties like the ANC and DA. While the three parties will continue to exist independently for now, their leaders have pledged to operate under "one name, one purpose, and one campaign".
Leaders' Perspectives
Mmusi Maimane, leader of BOSA, emphasized the importance of citizen involvement in politics, stating, "Politics is far too important to be left up to politicians." He called for a "new coalition... of patriots" to address the country's challenges. Patricia de Lille, leader of the GOOD Party, described the merger as "more than just a political party," urging South Africans, especially the youth, to "join in your quest for a better South Africa." Songezo Zibi, leader of Rise Mzansi, called for a "complete reset" of South Africa's political leadership, emphasizing the need for integrity and competence.
Strategic Objectives and Challenges
Unite for Change aims to address key issues facing South Africa, including high unemployment, crime, failing service delivery, and corruption. The party will focus on ethical leadership, local economic recovery, improved basic services, safety and justice, and digitisation. The merger is viewed as an attempt to provide a viable alternative to the ANC and other parties that have been accused of splitting the vote. However, challenges remain, including uniting diverse constituencies and building broader support beyond the existing bases of the three founding parties.
- Ethical Leadership: Promoting values-based leadership and rooting out corruption.
- Local Economic Recovery: Driving jobs and growth through local investment.
- Dignity through Basic Services: Ensuring access to essential services like water and electricity.
- Safety and Justice: Tackling crime and upholding the rule of law.
- Digitisation: Using technology to improve governance and resource allocation.
The Road Ahead
The parties plan a full merger after the 2029 elections, given their current representation in Parliament and provincial legislatures. Further details about Unite for Change's leadership structure, policies, and upcoming elective conference are expected in the coming weeks. Leaders have also extended an invitation to other like-minded political parties and organizations to join the movement.
Funding and Motivation
Songezo Zibi addressed concerns about the influence of funders, stating that the merger was driven by strategic considerations rather than solely by financial incentives. He argued that pooling resources would allow for more efficient campaigns and a unified message to voters. While Rise Mzansi and BOSA regularly receive funding from the Oppenheimer family, the leaders insisted that the decision to merge was based on a shared vision and the desire to maximize their impact.
| Party | Leader | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Rise Mzansi | Songezo Zibi | Social Justice and Youth Empowerment |
| Build One South Africa (BOSA) | Mmusi Maimane | Economic Inclusion and Clean Governance |
| GOOD Party | Patricia de Lille | Service Delivery and Ethical Governance |
