JOHANNESBURG, GAUTENG — As South Africa approaches the 2026 local government elections, the BOSA party is positioning itself as a direct remedy to municipal collapse. Party leader Dr. Mmusi Maimane argues that the country needs fewer provinces to streamline administration, cut bureaucracy, and deliver clean governance to broken local municipalities.
With less than 12 days remaining until voters head to the polls, the battle for control of the country’s towns and cities is intensifying. Dr. Maimane highlights that local government is currently plagued by crumbling roads, persistent water cuts, and political gridlock. In response, BOSA is fielding 800 candidates, emphasizing that they are not only professional and competent but strictly ethical, aiming to eradicate the corruption and weak cadre deployment that have paralyzed municipalities.
Reimagining Johannesburg as a Smart City
While acknowledging the immediate need to fix basic infrastructure like potholes and water systems, Dr. Maimane outlined a future-focused vision for Johannesburg. He proposed transforming the economic hub into a digital, smart city capable of hosting data centers and fostering alternative economies.
To achieve this, BOSA’s roadmap includes creating special economic zones in townships to stimulate local economic activity and capacitating the metro police to focus on intelligence-driven crime prevention rather than just administrative checks. Furthermore, Dr. Maimane advocated for the construction of an integrated, high-speed rail network within Johannesburg—specifically highlighting a route connecting Soweto to Sandton—to create new economic nodes and drastically reduce commute times.
Restructuring Provinces and Municipal Finance
A cornerstone of BOSA’s manifesto is the radical restructuring of provincial boundaries and municipal finance. Dr. Maimane noted that the traditional model of municipalities raising funds through rates, taxes, and the sale of electricity and water is no longer sustainable, especially as unpaid debts from both citizens and government departments break the value chain.
To resolve the electricity crisis, BOSA proposes paying the indigent grant directly to Eskom. This would allow the power utility to fulfill its constitutional obligations while increasing the provision of free basic electricity from 50 kWh to 300 kWh per household.
More broadly, Dr. Maimane argued that South Africa needs fewer provinces. He stated that the current provincial structure adds a complicated layer of bureaucracy. By reducing the number of provinces, the financial muscle currently absorbed by provincial administrations could be redirected straight to city and local infrastructure, as citizens live in their local communities rather than in provincial or national abstracts.
Ending the Water Outsourcing “Madness”
Addressing the severe water crisis, Dr. Maimane insisted that municipalities must pay water boards directly and halt the outsourcing of water services to private companies. He pointed to the “water tank mafia” in Tshwane and the fatal consequences of chlorination disputes in Soweto as evidence of a fundamentally broken system. He stressed that restoring competence and financial strength to water boards is critical to stopping the contamination and loss of life caused by failing water infrastructure.
Coalition Politics and the “Fourth Leg”
Looking at the broader political landscape, Dr. Maimane highlighted the benefits of coalition politics, noting that it prevents any single party from railroading legislation. He cited BOSA’s recent success in pushing the Minister of Finance to reduce the fuel levy (by R1.50 for petrol and R3 for diesel) to cushion citizens against inflationary pressures. He also expressed hope that geopolitical improvements, such as the end of the war in Iran and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, would further ease market pressures and keep interest rates within the 3% target.
However, Dr. Maimane set strict non-negotiables for post-election coalition talks: BOSA will not partner with corrupt or racist parties. He criticized the current Government of National Unity (GNU) for agreeing only on broad principles without establishing practical, measurable plans with clear timelines and funding mechanisms.
Describing the current political landscape as a table missing a leg, Dr. Maimane explained that South African politics is currently dominated by the ANC, the MK Party, and the DA/EFF axis. BOSA aims to build the crucial “fourth leg”—a non-racial, competent, professional, and future-focused centrist bloc. While the United for Change (UFC) is not on the ballot for this election, BOSA is actively reaching out to centrist parties, including Rise Mzansi and others, to solidify this alternative.
Ultimately, while BOSA is building its organization nationwide, Dr. Maimane confirmed that the party’s primary target and priority for this election cycle is bringing ethical, competent governance to the City of Johannesburg—a metro he believes matters not just for South Africa, but for the entire African continent.
