JOHANNESBURG – Build One South Africa (BOSA) unveiled the party’s provincial leaders and 10 big ideas on policy after just 145 days in existence. When BOSA was birthed on Heritage Day last year, the party set out to change South African politics by creating a new model for governance and politics, with citizens at the very core.
“There is now no doubt in the minds of South Africans that we need a new kind of politics to build a prosperous future, not only for the small elite who grew rich under Apartheid, or the small elite who have grown rich under the ANC, but for every South African”.
BOSA believes South Africans are sick and tired of petty politics, mudslinging, and point scoring. We will need to build consensus around original ideas, creative ideas, and smart ideas to achieve results at scale. And BOSA will play the anchor tenant in this national consensus.
Policy process
BOSA’s policy offer is entitled “10 ideas to fix South Africa”. These ideas cover the economy, job creation, education, healthcare, safety, energy, social security, wealth creation and efficient government. These ideas are not ideologically driven. They are based on values that all citizens and all sides of the political spectrum can coalesce around in a future coalition government.
And most importantly, they come from the people of South Africa. They are informed by a series of Policy Listening Forums held by BOSA to engage all interested parties, experts, stakeholders and citizens on crafting policies and plans to build South Africa.
10 “big ideas” to fix South Africa
One – The immediate creation of Township Special Economic Zones (TSEZs). These will be funded from the sale of listed shares owned by government’s Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) currently valued at R200 billion.
Government doesn’t need to own shares in big companies. Rather, township economies need to be stimulated and funded to uplift communities, create new jobs and wealth for disadvantaged citizens.
Two – Implementing a Student Performance Grant for a C-grade or higher in the critical subject basket (STEAM subjects: Science, Technology, Economics, Accounting and Maths). This to incentivise young people to obtain critical skills for school leaving success.
Three – Introducing a School Voucher Programme that returns the power back to the learner’s parents to decide which school a child attends. This added to improved Payment Packages for excellent teachers and the curtailing of over powerful teacher unions.
Four – A temporary tax holiday for first time employees who are graduates from TVETS and Universities.
Five – A voluntary national civilian service, buttressed by an expanded public works programme
Six – A Basic Income Grant instated, with an unconditional cash grant paid to young South Africans via the ground-breaking MyShare programme.
Seven – Localising policing to communities through the formation of small regional and municipal police forces with a strong volunteer component and the additional authority to deputise private security providers with peace-officer status.
Eight – Amendment of the Electoral Act to enable citizens to directly elect their public representatives at local, provincial and national level and to hold them accountable.
Nine – Universal access to broadband, Wi-Fi and telecommunication services in all townships, rural and peri-urban towns so that, for example, we can utilise telemedicine to put a doctor in every home.
Ten – Introducing sustainable nuclear via five 4000 MW to 5000 MW nuclear stations built over the next 10+ years. Finding international technology available from power suppliers in America, Europe, China and Russia.
It is we, citizens and leaders in our respective sectors and communities, who have the ideas, the skills, the expertise, and the wherewithal to build our country, says Mmusi Maimane.
BOSA leadership will be embarking on a national tour over the coming months, with the intention of engaging communities about the kind of leadership they want, who those leaders are and meeting with those leaders on the ground.
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