One SA Movement to Contest 2021 Local Government Elections with Independent Candidates

By: Mfundo Mabaso

Activist movement, One South Africa Movement (OSA), has announced that it will participate in the 2021 Local Government Elections through independent candidates.

This decision follows the movement’s National Council, its highest decision making body, having sat over the weekend to decide its plan of action for 2021.

In a statement the movement says, the council resolved to support a group of independent candidates, chosen by their communities, to stand for elections as ward councilors in the Local Government Elections.

“OSA will not be on the ballot paper. Rather, we will support, train, equip and campaign for OSA endorsed independents in wards across the country. These candidates will not be OSA candidates – they will be independent candidates of their community – supported by the people, focused on delivering for the people,” the statement reads.

National Council also resolved to establish two bodies,  a Governance and Oversight Forum to recruit, train and provide oversight of Councillors work post elections, secondly being a Campaign Committee to ensure that support is adequately provided to candidates throughout their election campaigns.

The earliest possible date for Local Government Elections  2021 would be 04 August 2021 and the latest date would be 01 November 2021. Elections are to take place within 90 days of expiry of the current term.