Today, three national political parties, and their respective leaders, have heard 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.
We proudly announce 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.
The first three founding parties are Build One South Africa (BOSA), the GOOD Party, and RISE Mzansi.
We are United for Change under one name, one set of electoral lists, one shared platform and one purpose.
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 Dr Mmusi Maimane MP, Minister Patricia de Lille MP, Songezo Zibi MP, Nobuntu Hlazo-Webster MP, MEC Vuyiswa Ramokgopa MPL, and Brett Herron MPP.
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.
As we prepare for the 2026 elections, our campaign will focus on five urgent priorities to uplift municipalities across the country:
1. Capable and Ethical Leadership
Identifying and unearthing new and existing skills and talent, values-based leadership, and ending cadre deployment and corruption in government.
2. Local Economic Recovery
Creating jobs and growth through local investment. Positioning cities as the main drivers of change, the focus is on the digital economy, creative economy, care economy and tourism economy.
3. Dignity Through Basic Services
Providing what no citizen should go without: water, electricity, refuse, reliable public transport, basic housing, and decent healthcare.
4. Safety and Justice
Tackling crime, corruption, and violence at their roots, underpinned by promotion and protection of the Rule of Law. 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.
5. Digitisation
Harnessing 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.
It honours a generational mandate to end dysfunction, neglect, and inequality that defines life for far too many in our country.
It is but the start and 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
Prominent individuals willing to step forward
Community organisations and NGOs working for dignity and justice
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 our country.
The door is wide open, with conversations already underway with others to grow this movement.
However, we must state categorically that our values act as both an invitation and a necessary deterrent.
Any parties, organisations or individuals who exist to capitalise on division have no safe harbour in this new party. We exist for all, and our ethos explicitly and overtly prioritises that.
Moreover, we reject the insidious narrative that voters must choose between values and competence, as some political parties wish to frame electoral choices.
It is insulting to assume that a political party cannot both align with your values while also providing solid and effective governance and service delivery.
The new party is soundly rooted in the foundational values of social justice, non-racialism, anti-corruption, and constitutionalism, aligned with South Africa's social-democratic and constitutional tradition.
The Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signed by all three founding parties states that the National Executive Committee will adopt a candidate selection model that prioritises merit-based selections in respect of all candidate lists.
The model will have an intense focus on getting people to stand for election as councillors who are from their community, known in their community, and accountable to their community.
We invite councillor candidates, especially new ones, to put their hands up and play their part in turning around towns and cities across the country.
The MOA also mandates a policy review process.
This will measure every proposal against three tests: is it constitutional, is it evidence-based, and will it expand opportunity for all South Africans.
Where differences exist, we'll reach consensus based on what is credible and works for the country.
In the immediate term, the organising mission for policy formulation will be local government focused.
Unite for Change is a proactive approach to our most urgent crises. That is fixing municipalities and rehabilitating local government - which we see as the most important sphere of government.
Our immediate priority is direct engagement with communities. Beginning this month, we will embark on a series of town halls, community dialogues, and roundtables.
This nationwide tour will form the foundation for the rollout of our unified policy platform ahead of the 2026 local government elections, ensuring that our agenda reflects the real needs and aspirations of the people we aim to serve.
We invite all South Africans who are ready to be part of meaningful change to take action today. Visit our website, sign up as a member, and stay connected to the heartbeat of this movement.
Today, we unite for working municipalities. Today, we unite for dignity. Today, we unite for safety. Today, we Unite for Change!