Build One South Africa (BOSA) leader Dr Mmusi Maimane has called for South Africa to reduce the number of provinces, arguing that the current structure creates an additional layer of bureaucracy and diverts resources that could be used to improve services in local communities.
Maimane made the proposal while outlining BOSA’s plans for government reform ahead of the 2026 local government elections.
He argued that provincial administrations add complexity to the country’s governance system and that reducing the number of provinces could free up funding for infrastructure and service delivery at municipal level.
According to Maimane, residents experience government most directly through their local communities, where reliable water, electricity, roads and other basic services are essential.
He believes resources currently spent maintaining provincial administrations could instead be directed towards addressing these needs.
South Africa currently has nine provinces, each with its own legislature, premier and executive council. Any proposal to reduce their number would therefore involve significant changes to the country’s existing system of government.
Maimane’s proposal forms part of BOSA’s broader argument that government structures should be streamlined and public funds used more effectively to improve service delivery.
The proposal raises questions about how provincial responsibilities would be redistributed, what savings could realistically be achieved and how any restructuring would affect the delivery of services across different parts of the country.
