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Build One South Africa
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Build One South Africa
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Build One South Africa
Build One South Africa Logo for the Build One South Africa political party.

Build One South Africa

political party, South Africa
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External Websites
Also known as: BOSA, Build One SA
Written by
Amy McKenna
Amy McKenna is a senior editor, primarily focused on geography and history matters pertaining to sub-Saharan Africa. She joined Encyclopaedia Britannica in 2004. She was previously employed by Standard...
Amy McKenna
Fact-checked by
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors.
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Article History
Quick Facts
Also called:
Build One SA
Date:
2022 - present
Related People:
Mmusi Maimane
See all related content

Build One South Africa (BOSA), South African political party formed in 2022 and led by veteran opposition politician Mmusi Maimane.

Maimane had previously served as leader of the country’s main opposition party, the Democratic Alliance, for four years before resigning in 2019. In January 2020 he formed the One South Africa civic organization, which encouraged political engagement and supported independent candidates in the 2021 elections. It was this organization from which Build One South Africa (BOSA) evolved. BOSA was launched on South Africa’s Heritage Day (September 24) in 2022. In addition to Maimane, BOSA’s leadership roster included Nobuntu Hlazo-Webster as deputy leader; Hlumelo Biko, the son of anti-apartheid activists Steve Biko and Mamphela Ramphele, as CEO; and Mkhuseli (“Khusta”) Jack as national chair.

BOSA presented itself as an alternative to mainstream political parties. It espoused a commitment to the African philosophy of Ubuntu (sometimes translated as “I am because we are” and describing the individual’s connection to the whole of humanity) and identified nine key values the party held in support of that notion: dignity, unity, collaboration, community, integrity, active citizenship, accountability, equality and inclusiveness, and servant and ethical leadership. BOSA’s platform focused on such issues as inclusive economic policies; stamping out corruption; improving access to, and the quality of, education; curbing crime; equitable access to health care; and the adoption of direct elections. The party also advocated for reliable and sustainable electricity, a significant concern of South Africans given the history of problems at ESKOM, the country’s troubled electricity utility. In January 2023 BOSA, along with other parties and organizations, initiated legal proceedings against ESKOM and the ministers who oversaw the utility in response to several issues, including the excessive use of load-shedding (rolling blackouts to maintain operation of the overloaded power grid, which routinely deprived businesses and households of electricity) as well as a proposed tax increase.

BOSA aimed to recruit 400 people to stand in the 2024 elections. The party held that its recruitment process, with a focus on transparency and fairness, was unique and was designed with the goal of finding and supporting qualified individuals to serve as candidates.

In the 2024 national election, BOSA won less than one percent of the vote, but it was enough for the young party to win a handful of seats in the National Assembly.

Amy McKenna