In October 2025, the GOOD Party, RISE Mzansi, and Build One South Africa (BOSA) announced a decision to begin the journey of consolidating South Africa’s political landscape under the banner of Unite for Change. Over the past five months, the parties have taken significant steps towards this goal while preparing for the 2026 Local Government Elections.
While significant ground has been covered in this regard, it has become clear that integrating three political parties, their structures, and their activists needs more time due to its intensity and complexity. It cannot be implemented effectively under the pressure of an election campaign. As a result, the parties have determined that the best option is to contest the 2026 LGE individually and pursue consolidation afterwards. In short, Unite for Change will not be on the ballot, while the GOOD Party, RISE Mzansi and BOSA will be.
That said, the parties will in due course implement an interim cooperation model that ensures that voters have access to capable and committed election candidates. This is based on a shared recognition that the municipal elections require the parties to leverage their respective strengths to maximise their individual and collective election potential. Therefore, the parties will make best endeavours to minimise or prevent unnecessary competition between them wherever possible.
South Africa is in a crisis, and this requires talented and capable candidates. To effectively deal with it we must prioritise merit, expertise, integrity and rooting out corruption because building public trust in our political system requires consistent delivery. The parties will work to ensure that this happens in the municipal councils where we are elected to serve, governing with and for the people.
Following this announcement will be communication to all applicants for municipal councillor informing them of next steps. We appreciate their commitment to change the role and face of local government for the better.
We would like to thank our members and supporters for the work they have done thus far to build this political movement. The work continues, and our mission remains intact: bringing together citizens, activists, community leaders, and public servants who are committed to restoring dignity, accountability, and delivery at every level of government.
Twinkle Cocoa
Fun South African Fact: South African Dr. Christiaan Barnard performed the world’s first heart transplant on 3 December 1967 at Groote Schuur Hospital in Cape Town. The groundbreaking surgery was carried out on Louis Washkansky and Dr. Barnard was assisted by a large and exceptional team of surgeons, nurses and technicians. One of Dr. Barnard’s assistants was Hamilton Naki, a black laboratory assistant who had worked previously as a gardener and went on to work in the animal laboratory at the University of Cape Town. He had assisted Dr Barnard with research leading to the transplant. In the apartheid days, Naki had no access to higher education due to his race. Despite being unable to access formal training, he learned from and assisted university researchers and went on to do amazing work.
Doughboy
Fun South African Fact: Lions, elephants and giraffes may not roam the city streets, but nature and animals are never too far away in South Africa. From vervet monkeys swinging through tree-lined streets in the suburbs and baboons frolicking around Cape Point to seals visiting the Hout Bay harbour in search of a fishy snack and an array of bird species taking to the sky at any given moment. Wildlife is all around!