Johannesburg – The political coalition Unite for Change, formed last year by the GOOD Party, RISE Mzansi, and Build One South Africa (BOSA), has announced it will not appear on the ballot in the upcoming 2026 Local Government Elections.
Instead, the three parties will contest individually, citing the complexity of merging their structures and activists under the pressure of an election campaign.
The alliance, unveiled in October 2025, was intended to consolidate South Africa’s fragmented opposition landscape.
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However, leaders Songezo Zibi, Mmusi Maimane, and Patricia De Lille said in a joint statement on Sunday, 12 April 2026, that the process of integration requires more time than anticipated.
“It cannot be implemented effectively under the pressure of an election campaign,” the parties said in a joint statement.
While Unite for Change will not contest the elections as a single entity, the parties said they plan to adopt an interim cooperation model aimed at reducing competition between them.
The arrangement is designed to ensure voters are presented with “capable and committed candidates” while leveraging each party’s strengths.
The leaders stressed that South Africa’s ongoing crisis demands integrity, expertise, and a commitment to rooting out corruption.
They pledged to prioritise merit and accountability in municipal councils where their candidates are elected.
Communication will soon be sent to the councillor applicants outlining the next steps.
Despite the delay in full consolidation, the parties insisted their mission remains intact: building a political movement that restores dignity, accountability, and delivery at every level of government.
Supporters were thanked for their role in laying the groundwork for Unite for Change, with leaders promising that “the work continues.”
