BOSA calls on Ramaphosa to set up ‘national convention’

BOSA, which managed to secure two seats in the National Assembly during the recent general election, wrote to the president on Tuesday to request a “national convention” involving the different political parties. 

It believed the meeting will help decide on the purpose, agenda and scope of a new government of national unity.

BOSA is not yet one of the ten parties which have signed on to join the GNU.

In recent days, tensions have been evident amid negotiations between the ANC DA, which won 87 parliamentary seats compared to the ANC's 159 as Ramaphosa looks to finalise his cabinet. 

Ramaphosa faces having to balance demands for key ministerial posts from his party and its new allies, as well as mediating diverging views to agree a common policy agenda on the economy and other pressing matters.

BOSA spokesperson Roger Solomons says the government’s agenda needs to be informed by the interests of every citizen, and not just the special interests of established parties.

“That plan needs to be able to take elements that are coming in from the National Development Plan and ultimately the inputs of South Africans so that the government that is established can execute that particular plan with the right individual serving in cabinet for that plan or that Parliament hold its oversight role to ensure that the plan is held to.   

“The exercise that is happening at the moment will be a matter of just haggling over positions rather than fighting for the people of this country and the 60 million who still face unemployment, miseducation, an unsafe country and leaders who are unethical.”  

Solomon said BOSA therefore believes a national convention is the most appropriate way to build public trust and communicate an agenda that delivers for all South Africans. 

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