Cape Town – Build One South Africa (BOSA) leader Mmusi Maimane has declared that his party will not join the Government of National Unity (GNU) if it includes the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), the MK Party, or any other groups he deems “racist”.
Maimane made this statement during a media briefing in Rosebank, Johannesburg, on Thursday, responding to rising tensions within the GNU and ongoing fallout from the National Dialogue.
He emphasised that BOSA has not held formal talks with the ANC regarding expanding the GNU and would not join any coalition that includes the MK Party, EFF, or “racist parties.”
Maimane criticised the current GNU, led by the ANC and including parties such as the Democratic Alliance (DA), Freedom Front Plus, Inkatha Freedom Party, Patriotic Alliance, GOOD, Pan Africanist Congress of Azania, United Democratic Movement, Al Jama-ah, and Rise Mzansi, for failing to deliver on its promises.
WATCH: BOSA leader Dr Mmusi Maimane says his party has not held formal talks with the ANC on expanding the GNU, and will not join any coalition that includes the MK Party, EFF, or “racist parties.”#MmusiMaimane #BOSA #GNU #ANC #EFF #MKParty #NationalDialogue pic.twitter.com/sr1A3UQDFt
— Simon Majadibodu (@MajadiboduSimon) August 21, 2025
According to Maimane, the GNU has been in office for 14 months, and South Africans have experienced endless infighting at the expense of progress. He added that, by almost every available metric, there has been no meaningful progress.
“We take no joy in this, because it is South Africans who suffer due to governance inertia,” he said. “It is a sign that the time for the same old approaches is over,” he said.
I am not sorry to say this but the DA and ANC and all GNU members must grow up. We cannot be governed by threats to the economy and threats to the budget.
The whole GNU must focus on a plan for growth for South Africa and stop the childish bickering and politicking. pic.twitter.com/1Ly0wkbdYg
— Mmusi Maimane MP (@MmusiMaimane) June 28, 2025
Maimane also criticised the current GNU for having the most bloated Cabinet in South Africa’s democratic history.
He warned that adding political parties like the MK Party would complicate things and make it impossible for BOSA to be part of what would become a “potpourri of parties who are not ideologically — let alone governmentally — qualified.”
He reiterated BOSA’s refusal to work with parties that “do not want to uphold and defend our Constitution.”
Regarding the National Dialogue, Maimane called on key legacy organisations, including the Thabo Mbeki and Steve Biko foundations, to reconsider their withdrawal and rejoin the dialogue.
Continues pic.twitter.com/poXDdu1KDA
— Mmusi Maimane MP (@MmusiMaimane) August 21, 2025
He emphasised the need to forge a new consensus about South Africa’s future and acknowledged that while many have pointed fingers at the government for massive governance failures, the country’s moral fabric is also under scrutiny.
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Picture: Facebook/ Mmusi Maimane
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Compiled by Lisabeal Nqamqhele
