Giving up was not an option for seven political parties that could not get 50 000 signatures to qualify to contest in the national elections next month. The parties have joined forces with Mmusi Maimane's Build One South Africa in an attempt to make their voices heard come May 29. The parties include the Mopani Independent Movement (MIM), Lentswe La Batho, Abantu Integrity Movement (AIM), Moretele Independent Civic Organization (MICO), New Horizon Movement, Movement of the People and African Change Academy (ACA).

Maimane made this announcement yesterday outside the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) in Centurion, Pretoria. Although BOSA will be the only party from the seven on the ballot come May 29, the leaders from the other parties will be absorbed as candidates or placed in leadership structures of the party. "We can today announce the first seven parties who will form part of the Bosa Alliance - a broad collective of political parties and civil society organisations committed to fostering significant political change in South Africa," he said. Maimane added that more political parties were expected to join BOSA but they were still in talks. The former DA leader submitted 140 000 signatures to the IEC last month.

Last week Friday, the Electoral Court dismissed five cases by political parties who were appealing being excluded from contesting the elections because of not meeting the IEC's new requirements. Arise South Africa founded by businessman Mpho Dagada, the infamous Operation Dudula, Defenders of the People, Cape Independence Party and Independent South Africa National Civic Organisation did not meet the candidate nomination requirements. According to the IEC, new political parties require about 50 000 signatures of registered voters to contest in the regional or provincial elections and to obtain a seat. independent candidates would need 1 000 signatures. For one to qualify as an independent candidate to contest the elections, they are required to submit 1000 signatures of registered voters and would need to pay a deposit. An earlier requirement of between 11 000 and 14 000 signatures was overturned by the Constitutional Court, which ruled this to be 'unconstitutional'. "Like political parties, independent contestants also pay a deposit, which amounts to R20 000 for the region they contest. For contesting for a seat in the Provincial Legislature, an independent candidate would pay a deposit of R15 000," said the IEC. The rule was passed in Parliament in last year