As the national and provincial elections on May 29 draw near, political parties are intensifying efforts to engage with communities and gain their support.
Build One South Africa (Bosa) is taking an innovative approach, thinking outside the box to connect with voters.
BOSA soccer campaign
Perhaps a surprising revelation to many: the party’s soccer team will play against three local teams during a community event in Johannesburg on Saturday.
A circulated invitation on social media encourages the public to “join in kicking the ball, cheer on the teams, relax and listen to music, savour refreshments, and meet our leaders.”
Bukho Bami Youth Centre, Start Football, and Diski Xseni will each field teams for the event. The activities will commence at 130 Kilburn Avenue, Roodepoort, starting at 8 am.
With only two weeks remaining until the elections, leveraging soccer as a campaign tactic is intriguing, albeit not unusual, in our sports-centric nation’s election landscape.
Bosa leader Mmusi Maimaine recently outlined his party’s ambitious strategy to establish a professional, globally competitive government without corruption.
This plan involves streamlining government departments and advocating for changes in legislation to impose a minimum sentence of 15 years for corruption offences.
According to political analysts interviewed by The Citizen, while the party’s proposed major reforms, if enacted, could potentially curb corruption and reduce expenses, they are viewed as promises that may prove difficult for the party to fulfil if it attains power.
“It may be true we have too many ministers and departments, but Maimane would not be able to keep the promise,” said political analyst Piet Croucamp.
Maimane criticises ANC and DA: Calls for change
Maimane stated that BOSA’s inaugural television advertisement gets straight to the point by delivering a message of unity and optimism in a nation marked by growing division.
Maimane, leader of Build One South Africa (BOSA), has criticised the ruling party and his former political affiliation as he unveiled his election television advertisement, titled ‘I Believe,’ on Friday.
According to Eyewitness News, amid the controversy surrounding the Democratic Alliance’s advertisement depicting the burning of the South African flag being pulled by the public broadcaster, Mmusi Maimane remarked that the African National Congress (ANC) is also propagating falsehoods about its three decades of governance.
Maimane emphasised that BOSA’s inaugural television advertisement gets straight to the point by conveying a message of unity and optimism in a nation experiencing escalating division.
The forty-second advertisement, released on BOSA’s social media channels, showcases prominent figures such as its Gauteng premier candidate Nobuntu Hlazo-Webster, Spokesperson and former TV personality Ayanda Allie, along with several party supporters, concluding with Mmusi Maimane himself.
The party pledges to deliver a prosperous economy, a society free from crime, employment opportunities for every household, and accountability for corruption.
Maimane responded on his social media account, indirectly criticizing the party he once led, humorously remarking, “You don’t have to burn a flag to create a compelling advertisement.”
