Johannesburg – Three political parties – Build One South Africa (BOSA), the GOOD Party, and RISE Mzansi – have merged to form the “Unite for Change” party.
In a joint announcement on Sunday, 5 Otober 2025, said: “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”.
The statement added: “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 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,” the statement said.
“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 statement said.
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 statement said.
