South Africa's first non-ANC president in 2029?

In this interview, Mmusi Maimane discusses South Africa’s political future, coalition politics, non-racialism, and the possibility of the country electing its first non-ANC president in 2029. He argues that South Africa needs reformers focused on the future, not only on addressing the legacies of the past.

Key topics

• Why Maimane left the Democratic Alliance and founded Build One South Africa, which he says better reflects his vision for a non-racial country.
• His concern that South African politics is increasingly shaped by racial, ethnic, and tribal identities rather than shared political ideals.
• How apartheid’s spatial legacy, unequal education, and economic inequality continue to reinforce racial divisions.
• Build One South Africa’s ambition to offer a centrist, non-racial alternative, attract younger voters, and play a role in coalition politics.
• Maimane’s opposition to the “balkanization” of South Africa and to political movements organized around ethnic or racial nationalism.
• Why he believes many former ANC voters are moving toward MK and the EFF rather than BOSA.
• How he would approach South Africa’s relationship with Washington, including the role of trade and broader African cooperation.
• His rejection of white genocide claims as a false narrative amplified by domestic political actors.
• Why Maimane describes himself as a reformer—and how he sees faith, Ubuntu, and shared values as sources of national unity.
• His belief that South Africa could elect its first non-ANC president in 2029, and why he thinks he could be that leader.

Timestamps

00:00 — Could South Africa elect its first non-ANC president in 2029?

01:27 — Why Maimane left the DA and how he sees the political landscape

03:47 — What a de-racialized South Africa could look like

06:42 — Race, inclusion, and leaving the Democratic Alliance

08:34 — Why Build One South Africa is still growing

10:30 — Coalition politics and the role of a centrist “kingmaker”

11:29 — Where former ANC voters are going

13:24 — Coalition red lines and working with corrupt parties

14:32 — How Maimane would approach South Africa’s relationship with Washington

15:31 — The white genocide myth and its domestic political roots

18:23 — Trade and practical steps to ease tensions with the US

19:15 — Why Maimane wants to be seen as a reformer

21:07 — Mandela’s legacy and the need for a new generation of leaders

22:04 — Faith in a secular, multi-religious country

23:31 — Shared identity, churches, and the search for political unity

25:19 — Why Maimane thinks a non-ANC president could emerge in 2029

26:49 — Why he believes he could be that leader

Notable quotes

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“I want to be seen as a reformer.”

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“Mandela was the Moses, he certainly didn't send us into the promised land.”

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“I believe I could be” the first non-ANC president in 2029.

keywords

South Africa, de-racialization, coalition politics, economic reform, social unity, Musi Maimani, Build One South Africa, political change

key topics

De-racialization of South Africa

Coalition politics and role of Build One South Africa

Economic and educational reforms for equality

Managing international relations and foreign policy

Urban renewal and infrastructure in Johannesburg

sound bites

"Liberation movements fragment their surrogates, often the immediate beneficiaries."

"Building a non-racial centre is essential for South Africa's future."

"Johannesburg must be reimagined as a financial and technological hub."

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