Political Shake-Up: Rise Mzansi, GOOD, and BOSA merge to launch new centrist party
Songezo Zibi's Rise Mzansi, Patricia De Lille's GOOD party and Mmusi Maimane's BOSA party are in talks to form a new centrist party ahead of the next year's local government elections.
Image: Independent Media / IOL graphics
Rise Mzansi, the GOOD Party, and Build One South Africa (BOSA) will officially merge this weekend, launching a new centrist party set to challenge the political status quo ahead of the 2026 local elections.
The highly anticipated announcement will be made during a media briefing in Johannesburg on Sunday, where the parties will unveil the new party’s name, leadership, and future direction.
This comes after an IOL exclusive revealed that the three parties had been in advanced talks to consolidate their efforts ahead of the upcoming local government elections.
While details remain under wraps, Rise Mzansi spokesperson Mabine Seabe told IOL everything will be revealed during a media briefing.
“This briefing will include an announcement of political importance that will give the people of South Africa renewed hope for change that will deliver the South Africa we all want and deserve,” the media alert said.
The GOOD Party and Rise Mzansi are both part of the current Government of National Unity (GNU), formed in 2024 after no single party secured an outright majority in the general election.
Their involvement in the GNU has positioned them as key centrist players in an increasingly fragmented political environment.
The new political bloc was also in talks with ActionSA to join the new coalition but party leader, Herman Mashaba reportedly pulled out.
The new party is expected to lay out its policy framework, electoral strategy, and governance vision during Sunday’s briefing.
Leaders from all three merging entities are set to speak on the party’s commitment to restoring public trust in politics, improving service delivery, and holding themselves accountable to promises made.
The formation of this centrist alliance marks a bold attempt to disrupt South Africa’s traditional party lines and could significantly alter the balance of power, they said.
“South Africans are tired of broken promises. This new political movement seeks to offer a genuine alternative — focused, accountable, and ready to lead,” said an insider familiar with the talks.
With growing dissatisfaction over service delivery, unemployment, and governance failures, the merged party hopes to capture the attention of voters disillusioned with the ANC and other legacy parties.
kamogelo.moichela@iol.co.za
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