South Africa’s newest political movement, Unite for Change, has officially opened its recruitment process for councillors to contest the upcoming 2026 municipal elections. The party, launched last month through a merger between Rise Mzansi, GOOD, and Build One South Africa (BOSA), aims to reshape local government by prioritizing integrity, competence, and community service.
Unite for Change co-leader Mmusi Maimane announced that the party is seeking ethical and capable individuals who have demonstrated a genuine commitment to their communities. “We are looking for competent, ethical people with a track record of serving communities,” said Maimane. “This is not about political loyalty; it’s about service, integrity, and leadership.”
In outlining the party’s vision, Maimane stressed that Unite for Change will not compromise on the quality of its representatives. “What we cannot replicate,” he explained, “is a situation like what you have in some municipalities in KZN, where councillors cannot even read audit statements and are illiterate.”
He emphasized that Unite for Change seeks citizens who are passionate about collaboration, accountability, and progress. “We are looking for people who say to themselves that they will work as part of a collective to bring meaningful change in their cities, towns, and municipalities,” Maimane added.
The recruitment process is designed to identify candidates who not only understand governance but also possess a deep sense of responsibility toward their communities.
Unite for Change Calls on Civil Society to Participate
In a move that breaks from traditional political party recruitment, Unite for Change has called on civil society, faith-based organisations, and the private sector to recommend individuals they believe would make effective local leaders.
“This process is about inclusivity and accountability,” said Maimane. “We want people who are known in their communities — individuals whose work and reputation speak for them.”
Once nominations are received, each candidate will go through a rigorous vetting process to ensure they meet the highest ethical and professional standards. According to Maimane, this includes checking for criminal records, verifying community endorsements, and conducting interviews with an independent panel.
A key feature of Unite for Change’s candidate recruitment system is community endorsement. “They all require endorsements from their communities,” explained Maimane. “This is our way of checking whether or not this person legitimately comes from a particular community.”
By grounding the process in community validation, Unite for Change aims to ensure that candidates genuinely represent the people they seek to serve — a departure from the top-down candidate selection model often used by established political parties.
After the vetting process, successful candidates will undergo a year-long training programme to prepare them for public office. This comprehensive training will focus on municipal law, governance, budgeting, and ethical leadership.
“So that we ensure that when people get voted for and end up in councils, they are competent,” said Maimane. “They must understand how municipalities function and have a clear sense of purpose. We’ve tested that these are people who are genuine, committed, and qualified to serve.”
Once candidates have completed the training and assessment period, Unite for Change will introduce a ranking system to determine which individuals are best suited for nomination. The rankings will consider performance, community feedback, and contributions made during the training period.
“This ranking ensures that merit, not favoritism, determines who represents the movement in local government,” Maimane explained. “We want to restore public trust by proving that capable, honest citizens can govern effectively.”
The emphasis on transparency and accountability aligns with Unite for Change’s broader mission: to build a credible alternative to traditional political parties that have failed to deliver on promises of service and development.
Since its launch, Unite for Change has presented itself as a citizen-driven movement focused on rebuilding trust in government institutions. The merger of three reform-oriented organisations has created a platform that blends experience, community activism, and a shared commitment to ethical leadership.
Maimane believes that by uniting South Africans around shared values — rather than political personalities — the party can drive real change at the local level. “Our goal is simple,” he said. “We want to put power back in the hands of the people. When communities choose their leaders and hold them accountable, democracy works.”
As South Africa prepares for the 2026 municipal elections, Unite for Change stands out for its transparent and community-based approach to leadership recruitment. By insisting on education, integrity, and local endorsement, the party is sending a clear message: public service is a privilege that must be earned through merit and trust.
In an era where political accountability is under scrutiny, Unite for Change is positioning itself as a movement that prioritizes people over politics — uniting citizens around one goal: building a competent, honest, and inclusive South Africa.
Source- EWN
