By Akani Nkuna
Build One South Africa (BOSA) has announced Martha Moshiga as its Tshwane mayoral candidate ahead of the Local Government Elections (LGE) on 4 November, as the party prepares to contest control of the capital.
Moshiga, who is BOSA’s Tshwane regional leader, is a music teacher, arts administrator, arts project coordinator and workshop facilitator.
Delivering her first address after her announcement in Pretoria on Saturday, Moshiga said Tshwane was operating below its potential, particularly in service delivery and attracting investment, and vowed to bridge the gap.
“This is our capital city and too often does not feel like one. It does not feel stable, it does not feel safe, it does not feel well run and it does not feel like a city that is moving forward.
“Too much of Tshwane’s political energy is spent on political games, on positions and who gets to control matters,” she said.
Moshiga said residents she had engaged with during her campaign in townships including Mabopane, Soshanguve and Mamelodi had raised concerns about government neglect, unreliable services, deteriorating infrastructure and persistent gangsterism.
Meanwhile, BOSA leader Mmusi Maimane warned that the dominance of the ANC, EFF and DA in municipal structures increased the risk of instability as parties compete for political power.
He urged Tshwane voters to support BOSA with an outright majority, which he said would allow the party to form a government without relying on coalition partners.
“In one corner is the ANC, in the other corner is the DA and the other the EFF. They choose which direction they are going to go and then they put the [small parties] in the middle and say, ‘stand as mayor while we are in the background doing our thing’,” Maimane said.
Speaking to SABC at the announcement ceremony, Maimane said political instability had become a feature of Tshwane’s governance and described BOSA as the “fourth leg” of the table that could bring balance and stability to the metro.
“The task we are putting before Moshiga is to go out and not only deliver services, but Tshwane cannot just be the capital city and be poor. It must be a capital city that attracts investment, ensures jobs are created and ultimately can keep our citizens safe,” Maimane said.
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