CAPE TOWN, WESTERN CAPE — Actress Melanie Du Bois is transitioning from the screen to the political arena after being announced as a Build One South Africa (BOSA) candidate for two wards in Cape Town in the upcoming local government elections. The former 7de Laan star says she believes she can make a more meaningful contribution to her community from inside the political system.
Du Bois, who is no stranger to career pivots having previously moved from acting into real estate, revealed that her entry into politics began when she was initially approached by a party called PPM (People’s Prosperity Movement). Having spent a long time working in the community with women, motivational groups, and young people, she was hesitant at first.
“I was like, ‘No ways. I’m not a politician. That’s just not my vibe,'” Du Bois explained, noting that while she participated in protests in her youth, she initially felt politics wasn’t for her. However, conversations about the current state of governance shifted her perspective. She realized that the political space cannot be left solely to career politicians, especially as a single mother who fears for her daughter’s future and worries about the lack of work for ordinary citizens.
Ultimately, Du Bois joined Build One South Africa, drawn to the party’s grassroots philosophy. She noted that Musi made it clear that the party’s strategy is to start from the bottom and “lay the bricks” again.
“We’re not starting from the top. Each and every one of us that are ward counselors is starting from the bottom,” Du Bois said. She emphasized that BOSA is looking for everyday community members—like the “auntie on the corner” who knows when neighbors are suffering and needs help navigating social grants—rather than high-up political elites.
Focusing on the Strand and Mitchells Plain
Du Bois has thrown her hat in the ring for two wards in the Western Cape: one in Strand and the other in Mitchell’s Plain. Looking toward the upcoming local government elections, her primary goal is to inspire citizens to take change into their own hands rather than waiting for the government to act.
Her platform heavily emphasizes job creation for the youth. Du Bois criticized misplaced government spending, using the example of building a wall. Instead of funding such infrastructure, she argued that the money should be used to employ young people as traffic officers, police officers, and teachers.
“There’s so much gangsterism in our communities. Take those kids that want to belong to something, make them traffic cops, make them policewomen, make them teachers,” she urged. She believes this approach would give at-risk youth a sense of belonging, combat crime, and ensure taxpayer money is used to build South Africa rather than build walls.
A Call for Ubuntu Amid Immigration Deadlines
Addressing the highly debated June 30 deadline regarding illegal immigrants and its potential impact on the local job market, Du Bois stressed the need for compassion. While she acknowledged the critical need for employment for South Africans, she warned against letting the situation escalate into violence.
“What’s scary about this is I think we need to put humanity first,” she said. “Whatever happens, let’s be humane about it.”
Du Bois invoked the concept of *Ubuntu*, a value she attributed to the teachings of Nelson Mandela. She expressed concern that protests could get out of hand and lead to people getting hurt, urging the public to balance the demand for local jobs with a humane and peaceful approach.
