By Charmaine Ndlela
The Unite for Change Leaders’ Council — Good Party leader Patricia de Lille, BOSA leader Dr Mmusi Maimane, and Rise Mzansi leader Songezo Zibi — kicked off their 2026 local government election campaign in Kliptown, Soweto, on Saturday, urging South Africans to unite behind a new political direction.
Unite for Change is a merger of three political parties — Rise Mzansi, Good, and Build One South Africa (BOSA).
The new formation was recently registered and is expected to contest the 2026 municipal elections.
Maimane criticised the lack of consistent service delivery following the G20 summit.
“Last week, during G20, it was nice to see service delivery and potholes being fixed. I wish it was G20 the whole year because now there is no service delivery being done. You don’t govern by performing only when G20 is here — you govern by delivering all the time,” he said.
“Let us work together for the future of this country.”
Zibi, Rise Mzansi leader, called for unity, good governance, and dignified leadership, saying the movement aims to end poverty and corruption.
“We are in a difficult time in South Africa where there are no leaders. Our leaders queued this week [at the ad hoc committee hearings] to greet a prisoner, Cat Matlala. What kind of leadership is that?” he asked.
“At Unite for Change, we don’t run poverty alleviation. We want to end hunger, unemployment, and corruption.”
Good Party leader Patricia de Lille stressed the need to build a future the next generation can be proud of.
“Unite for Change coming together is an opportunity to design our own future and the future of our children,” she said.
“This is not just a political party but a movement that can bring change. We are not going to stop at government elections — we will continue to drive change.”
The leaders ended by condemning gender-based violence (GBV) and urging women to speak out.
“The change we must bring is to stop GBV. Government cannot do it alone,” de Lille said.
The movement said it is willing, able, and ready to walk the journey with South Africans.
INSIDE POLITICS