For too long, South Africans have been forced to vote for political parties that select compromised, corrupt, and self-serving individuals, and force them upon the people of South Africa.
As a result, corruption is rampant, our economy is failing, South Africa’s children are receiving substandard education, joblessness has hit an all-time high, public healthcare is non-existent, and South Africans are being left behind.
OSA is working to change this through an innovative and modern approach to problem-solving on a large scale.
The OSA Journey and the fight for Electoral Reform
Mmusi Maimane and Michael Louis join forces to form the One South Africa Movement with the principle aim of achieving meaningful electoral reform in South Africa. This is the most suitable pathway to ending excessive power wielded over our country by political parties and their funders, and gives greater power to voters in who they elect to government.
Just six months after OSA’s formation, the country’s top court ruled that SA’s electoral system is unconstitutional and ordered Parliament to change it within two years. The Electoral Act was ruled to be in conflict with Section 19 of the Constitution. All laws in South Africa must be in accord with the Constitution.
This historic judgment begins the legal journey towards real change!
The bill was certified, passed constitutional muster and entered the parliamentary process by which it was considered, debated and rejected by political parties in Parliament.
As Michael Louis said at the time, it was expected that turkeys were not going to vote for Christmas
OSA announces it will participate in the 2021 Local Government Elections by training, equipping, endorsing and campaigning for independent candidates and community organisations across the country.
By partnering with hundreds of independent candidates and community organisations as part of our brand-new offer – OSA piloted a model to bring government and power closer to communities.
This was the result:
A large cohort of civil society organisations gather to deliberate and decide on a collective approach to the Electoral Amendment Bill currently before Parliament. This included OSA, OUTA, CASAC, Democracy Works, the Independent Candidate Association, the Inclusive Society Institute, the FW De Klerk Foundation, Africa School of Governance, Raising Righteous Rulers, Citizens Parliament, the Helen Suzman Foundation, Devoted Citizen and My Vote Count
After dragging its feet for two years, Parliament is been handed a lifeline by the Constitutional Court until 10 December 2022 to change our electoral system
As the movement at the forefront of the electoral reform process in our country, OSA launches a groundbreaking national campaign to ask South Africa to choose the best 200 candidates for Parliament in the next election.
Independent candidates are the future of governance in South Africa. The ability to elect people who are not dictated to by any political party will strengthen accountability, bring decision-making closer to the people and guarantee that the best, fit-for-purpose individuals represent us in government
Our mission, vision and values
To create a society in which all men and women regardless of race and background live together peacefully and prosper.
To bring about economic prosperity in South Africa and realise the dream of a country at peace with itself. Government of the people, by the people, for the people.
We are a community-driven, activist movement led by Mmusi Maimane that seeks to unite a broad coalition of South Africans who want to see change in South Africa.
This involves the mass-mobilisation/organisation of citizens from all walks of life and a broad coalition of business, civic organisations and communities acting as one.
To advocate on behalf of citizens, especially the poor and marginalized. To support petitions and/or recommendations from South Africans with respect to particular policies or causes.
To hold politicians and elected local and national officials accountable for their actions. To remove them from office should they fail in their duties.
To hope or strive for something
worthwhile. To celebrate other
citizen’s or community’s success.
To work hard.
To promote, direct, or intervene in social, political, economic, or environmental reform with the desire to make changes in South
African society toward the greater good.
To follow peaceful means to bring
about social change.
To uphold the needs and rights of
citizens to have dignity as enshrined in the constitution. This is a mission to address historical injustices and ensure a future upon which all citizens enjoy justice, equality and shared prosperity.
To adopt a theory of justice that actively addresses inequality borne out of our racial past and to build a society that eliminates discrimination on the basis of race, gender and class. This is to ensure that we build one South Africa for all.
