Maimane: Hill-Lewis election opens door for new national coalition

Build One South Africa (BOSA) leader Mmusi Maimane says the country is in desperate need of a new alternative government, suggesting that newly elected Democratic Alliance (DA) Federal Leader Geordin Hill-Lewis will be a central figure in realising that vision.

Maimane, who led the Democratic Alliance from 2015 to 2019, believes Hill-Lewis's election this past weekend signals a shift in the national discourse regarding coalitions that exclude the ANC.

The BOSA leader extended his congratulations to Hill-Lewis on Monday during a briefing where he announced a formal merger between his party and the People’s Prosperity Movement (PPM). The consolidated group intends to contest the upcoming local government elections under a unified banner.

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Maimane emphasised that the era of single-party dominance in South Africa is likely over for the foreseeable future.

"We need a new alternative. And I would hope Geordin will be able to say, could this country, could he work with his party to be able to achieve a different conversation about what that alternative government looks like in South Africa?"

According to Maimane, the political landscape has shifted permanently toward a multi-party system. He noted that the reality of the next two election cycles necessitates a collaborative approach to governance.

"We are in a world where there will never be a single party, at least in the next two election cycles, that will simply get over 50%," Maimane added.