Maimane outlines his election moves

ONE South Africa (OSA) Movement leader Mmusi Maimane remains silent on which municipalities his movement is setting its eyes on ahead of the local government elections in six months’ time.

Briefing the media in Sandton yesterday, Maimane said that the organisation was not a political party nor would he contest the upcoming elections as an independent candidate.

But he emphasised the OSA would support independent candidates.

“We’ve tried the party model for the past 27 years, since the dawn of democracy. It’s outdated and in need of full-scale change,” said Maimane.

He introduced OSA last year as an alternative to wrestle power away from political parties.

Maimane maintained that following months of extensive consultation with relevant stakeholders, community organisations and potential candidates, his movement had hit the ground running and was campaigning using a brand-new model in a select number of municipalities.

Maimane said the movement wants to see independent candidates succeed, adding that Section 15A of the Electoral Commission Act provides the answer to this as it enables a citizen-led organisation to win control of municipal wards but also an entire municipality, thereby forming a citizen-led government.

Political analyst Ralph Mathekga said: “It seems Maimane is avoiding forming a party, perhaps because of bad experience he had with political parties such as the DA. His methods, however, are not really efficient if he is thinking of returning to Parliament. I get a sense he wants an organisation that functions like a party but without the liabilities of a political party. It’s going to be a difficult experiment for him.” When asked who funds OSA, Maimane said the movement was a non-profit social movement funded by the people of South Africa.

The IEC has announced that voter registration for the elections is likely to take place on July 17 and 18. Elections will take place on October 27.