Build One South Africa (BOSA) has dismissed suggestions that the inclusion of descendants of two of South Africa’s most revered liberation icons on its candidate list for the upcoming local government elections is an attempt to capitalise on their famous surnames.
With just 150 days remaining before the municipal elections on 4 November, the party unveiled Ziyeka Sisulu, grandson of anti-apartheid stalwarts Walter and Albertina Sisulu, and Thembela Mandela, great-grandson of former President Nelson Mandela, as candidates for wards in the City of Johannesburg.
The announcement was made on Vilakazi Street in Orlando West, Soweto, a location BOSA described as a deliberate and symbolic choice. The party said the venue serves as a reminder that the struggle for political freedom must now be matched by a commitment to effective governance and economic opportunity for all South Africans.
BOSA national spokesperson Roger Solomons said both candidates had earned their place on the party’s list through their leadership and community work rather than their family heritage.
“They are leaders of organisations and foundations that they established and continue to lead. Through these initiatives, they are actively involved in uplifting young people and strengthening their communities,” said Solomons.
He stressed that both Sisulu and Mandela had undergone the same application process as other candidates seeking to represent BOSA in the elections.
“While both candidates carry surnames deeply embedded in South Africa’s liberation history, their inclusion is not about heritage alone. It is about responsibility in the present – the responsibility to restore failing local government and rebuild public trust in elected representatives,” he said.
BOSA has firmly rejected claims that the move is aimed at attracting votes through name recognition.
“I think that would be both short-sighted and an insult to the Mandela and Sisulu families,” Solomons said. “We have many talented candidates within our ranks. Some may not have widely recognised surnames, but they bring valuable experience and leadership.”
He added that the party remains open to South Africans from all sectors of society, including politics, business, education and the creative industries, who are committed to improving governance and serving their communities.
According to BOSA, the inclusion of Mandela and Sisulu descendants represents a broader effort to combine the values of South Africa’s liberation legacy with a renewed focus on accountability, service delivery and municipal reform.
The party says the move reflects a growing convergence of legacy and renewal, where the lessons of history can help shape a more effective future for local government.
