Since the steady easing of Lockdown restrictions in South Africa, there have been a multitude of parties returning to our events calendar. Most recently, the return of Makers Landing Feastivals have been putting the groove back into both our tekkies and our tummies. Not to mention one of the biggest electronic music festivals ULTRA SA is making a comeback in March next year.
But a party we might not have been expecting to hit our calendars, is a new political party created by none other than former Democratic Alliance (DA) leader Mmusi Maimane.
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Maimane launched the new party, Build One SA (BOSA), at an event in Naledi, Soweto on Saturday.
“Our nation is failing, it is broken… this has to change. We have to move away from the economy that works for a few, to one that works for everybody,” says Maimane as he promised bold reforms to address South Africa’s current issues of loadshedding, unemployment, high costs of living, and crime.
“There are people sitting at home saying they are the forgotten. I want to say to them Build One SA sees you,” he added.
Maimane confirmed earlier this week that he was making a comeback in the political arena. He plans to contest the 2024 national general elections as the party’s presidential candidate as well as uniting independent politicians under an umbrella organisation with the aim of putting together a capable cabinet.
“I have known triumph, I have known defeat, but I am STILL in the arena” – Mmusi Maimane #ReadyToBuild pic.twitter.com/ftsoYDIDCH
— BuildOneSouthAfrica (@BuildOneSA) September 24, 2022
This would be the first time Maimane will compete in an election since he resigned from his leadership role in the DA in 2019.
His vision for the new BOSA party stems from the One South Africa Movement organisation (OSA) which he launched in January 2020 shortly after resigning. Maimane says OSA will remain a civic organisation campaigning for radical change to the country’s electoral laws.
“We know what the heritage of this country is, but we stand today and say the heritage we are going to hand over to the next generation must be better, must be forward-moving, must be of South Africa that works for everybody. Amandla!” says Maimane.
Take a look:
To the Stage! @MmusiMaimane Leader of Build one South Africa! #Readytobuild pic.twitter.com/yu9aHSXqoh
— BuildOneSouthAfrica (@BuildOneSA) September 24, 2022
@BuildOneSA leader @MmusiMaimane at his best. #Readytobuilt. pic.twitter.com/EHLB4caf8e
— BuildOneSouthAfrica (@BuildOneSA) September 24, 2022
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Picture: @BuildOnSA / Twitter