Cape Town — Build One South Africa (BOSA) leader, Mmusi Maimane, will be making a return to Parliament after a near-five year absence.
He will be one of two members representing his the party in the National Assembly.
Maimane, who was the former leader of the DA, has been outspoken over his time with the party and said in his recently-launched book that he felt he was pushed out of the party by former party leaders, including John Steenhuisen.
Maimane left the DA to start his own party, BOSA. He promised “a job in every home” during his political campaign, which was only strong enough to secure two seats in Parliament. Maimane will be joined by first-timer, Nobuntu Hlazo-Webster. He believes it will be enough to make a difference, EWN reported.
“It’s completely possible that your ideals can be represented in a way that makes sense, you don’t have to win every vote because that’s the only time your numbers work.” Maimane said.
BOSA to send Mmusi Maimane, Nobuntu Hlazo-Webster and Ayanda Allie to serve South Africa as legislators after winning almost 195 000 votes#BuildOneSA pic.twitter.com/NV6TySVkSI
— BOSA (@BuildOneSA) June 3, 2024
Maimane, who campaigned for independent candidates, said he would continue to push to change the electoral law. He said BOSA has laid foundations that represented values not shared by the big four parties, and he targeted the 2026 local government as a chance for his party to make a stand.
“I’m coming back to Parliament to not only fight for that bill to ensure there’s better accountability but to hold whatever government that comes into play accountable to ensure there’s jobs and there’s an education.”
According to TimesLIVE, former transport ministry spokesperson, Ayanda Allie will represent the party in the Gauteng legislature, joining Maimane and Hlazo-Webster.
“Our three candidates are under the age of 45 and have a broad range of skills and a depth of experience across many sectors. For BOSA. this is only the start. What is undeniable is the desperate need for a centrist platform holding the line against division — be it racial, ethnic or linguistic,” BOSA spokesperson Roger Solomons said.
BOSA, in its first election, received 194 000 votes.
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Picture: Facebook/ Mmusi Maimane
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Compiled by Matthew Petersen
