Joint Media Statement by
Patricia de Lille MP
Songezo Zibi MP
Mmusi Maimane MP
UNITE for Change Leaders’ Council
16 December 2025
Release: Immediate
Unite for Change joins South Africans in marking Reconciliation Day. A day for reflection and a day for charting a non-racial and prosperous South Africa, where despite our differences and painful past, we commit, as per the preamble to the Constitution, to “Heal the divisions of the past and establish a society based on democratic values, social justice and fundamental human rights”.
It has been 30-years since South Africa first marked this commemorative day, but in many ways the crises faced then still stifle the great potential of the country and all its people.
We are a country besieged by high levels of crime and GBVF; failing municipal services; and a lack of visionary and servant leadership, among other everyday crises that hold back real and sustainable development, which includes unity.
Moreover, in the midst of these crises we are faced by a growing chorus of misinformation and disinformation around apartheid denialism, which seeks to undermine the democratic and constitutional project. This campaign is driven by self-interest and division. As Unite for Change we say: not on our watch.
Unite for Change therefore reiterates its commitment to a programme of social justice and development, that without, we cannot meaningfully build a just and united South Africa – the South Africa we all deserve.
On this important day, we believe that in order to unite South Africans and advance real and sustainable development, we must embrace and advance:
- Uniting communities rather than dividing them
- Fairness, accountability, and service to others
- Seeing local government as a tool to deliver tangible change
- Bringing professional skills and local insights to municipalities
Unite for Change will achieve this through five key priorities:
- Capable and ethical leadership
- Local economic recovery
- Dignity through basic service
- Safety & justice
- Digitisation
Unite for Change believes that it is possible to build the South Africa we all deserve, where every South African is able to become the best version of themselves; and that we rebuild our communities so that they are united and prosperous.
Unite for Change is not just the name of a movement and political party, but it is a call to action or a generational mission that we call upon all South Africans, regardless of race, class, or locality to rally around on this Reconciliation Day and beyond.
Media queries: media@uniteforchangesa.org