Written by: Gillian Fraser
Article source: JOY! Magazine
When I spoke to Mmusi Maimane over the phone, he had just stepped off a plane from Johannesburg and was driving to Polokwane. Between meetings, flights, and family life, he still carved out time to talk about what matters most to him: his faith, his family, and his heart for South Africa.
This conversation was not about politics or party lines. It was about the man behind the headlines. A husband, a father, a believer who still dreams of a country healed and united under God. As he spoke, one thing became clear: for Maimane, faith is not a private matter. It shapes how he leads, how he serves, and how he sees the future of our nation.
He believes this is the Church’s hour to rise, to speak truth, to model integrity, and to bring hope where there has been disappointment. “The Church must be the prophetic voice in our time,” he said. “People perish for lack of vision.”
Q. What do you believe the Church’s voice should sound like right now, and what is its role in the nation?
The Church’s role is what Nathan was to David – the prophetic voice in this season. The Church determines society’s values. If politicians set the values, they’ll be shaped by global trends or money, leading to confusion, from moral looseness to gender ideology. The Church must again stand up to governments that are stripping away Judeo-Christian values. On corruption, the Church should be the first to say, “This is sin.” Corruption creates a principality that leads to poverty. When hospitals in Tembisa collapse, the Church should say, “This is wrong.” We need prophetic voices to say, “Enough.” South Africa’s largest constituency is still the Church. It must rise and give people a vision again, because people perish for lack of vision.
Q. What would you say to those who promote a separation of Church and state?
That’s poor theology. The separation of Church and state was meant to protect the Church, not the state. It meant that the state should not interfere in the Church, not that the Church should not influence society. Every great social change – the abolition of slavery, the end of apartheid – was led by men and women of God. We’ve been wrongly taught to withdraw. People think “Church and politics” means “party politics”. It doesn’t. The Church’s influence must touch every part of life. If we pray, “Thy Kingdom come on earth as it is in Heaven”, how can we say that without being engaged in the affairs of society?
Q. You’ve led in both politics and ministry. What has leadership taught you about serving people versus leading them?
Poor leadership seeks self-protection first. In 1 Kings 17, during a drought, Ahab said, “Let’s find grass for the horses”, instead of caring for the people. Servant leadership is different – it asks, “What serves everyone best?” It’s not about perfection – I have many flaws – but humility. Jesus modelled laying down His life for others. It comes at a cost. I travel constantly. My wife often holds things together at home with our three kids. But as a family we’ve said that serving this nation is worth the sacrifice. True servant leadership is suspending your own interests for the good of the people.
Q. What does South Africa need most from its leaders now – not politically, but morally and spiritually?
Vision. People perish for lack of revelation. Our nation is not poor because it lacks resources – it lacks revelation. Poverty is a lack of vision. We need leaders who can see a prosperous nation, who work to move people from poverty into the middle class. And we need leaders who know leadership is not about self-enrichment. Their legacy should be a nation that prospers, not personal gain. In recent years we’ve had leaders who see resources as theirs. Leadership is stewardship.
Q. How do you keep your convictions strong when culture pulls in the opposite direction?
Family keeps me grounded. My wife and I are covered by a group of intercessors who pray for us and for the nation. I also have a circle of men who hold me accountable. We’re all one decision away from wrecking our lives. Accountability matters. Conviction also depends on the size of your dream. If your vision is small, you’ll give up when turbulence comes. If it’s big, you’ll ride through the storm. I don’t just want to be a politician – I want to see reformation in this nation.
Q. If you could rewrite one mindset in our nation, what would it be – and why?
Our lack of ambition. We’ve become comfortable with mediocrity, happy just to “make a plan”. Jan Smuts once said, “South Africa is a country where the worst never happens, but the best seems impossible.” That still rings true. We pass children at 30%. We accept potholes and corruption as “just how it is”. We must rediscover an identity of excellence and demand more of ourselves as a nation.
Q. In your view, what separates good leaders from great ones?
Good leaders think short term. Great leaders think generationally. Take Mandela visiting Betsie Verwoerd. Short-term thinkers said, “Don’t do it – it’ll upset people.” But Mandela thought long term: reconciliation for future generations. That decision – and even wearing the Springbok jersey in ’95 – made it possible for Siya Kolisi to be celebrated today. Great leadership always asks, “How will this serve generations after me?”
Q. When you think about your legacy, what do you most hope people will remember?
I’ve fought my whole life to build one South Africa – a country for all citizens. Even in my time leading the DA, that was my heart: unity. By God’s design, even my marriage reflects that. Natalie and I married across racial lines at a time when it was not popular, but we were just two young people who loved God and loved each other. I hope my life reflects that – a life of service to God and to this nation.
Q. How can our readers pray for you right now?
Pray that we stay the course. Politics can make you cynical, tempted to give up on ideals and just do what is expedient. Pray that we don’t lose heart and that we keep fighting for what is right. And please pray for South Africa – that our nation’s voice of hope is never silenced.
Q. Do you have a message for JOY! readers?
Yes – pray, but also act. Prayer is one hand in the battle. The other hand is activism. South Africans love prayer meetings, and that’s powerful, but prayer must be followed by action. If you run a business, care for your employees’ wellbeing. If you live in a community, get involved in your local council. Don’t disengage. If we only pray but never act, we can’t expect change. Nehemiah prayed, but he also rebuilt the walls. We need Spirit-filled people in every sphere – in Parliament, in schools, in business – to bring transformation. Prayer and activism go hand in hand.
Q. For those who want to get involved practically, how can they do that through BOSA?
Build One South Africa Movement is actually an NPO, not a political party. Anyone who wants to see young people trained and equipped for leadership can reach out through our One South Africa platform. We’ll train and mentor them to transform their cities. It’s like church – you don’t just identify talent, you train and release it. The same goes for governance. Spirit-filled, skilled people must lead excellently.
Closing reflections
If I could leave one message, it’s this – I love this country, deeply. I truly believe we can build a nation that prospers, where people love who they are as South Africans. This article, I hope, is a love letter to South Africa, because I love her people. Let’s rediscover who we are. We are beautiful, and we are better together.
This article is featured in the December issue of JOY! Magazine. Read a digital version of this magazine here: joygifts.co.za
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Date published: 28/11/2025
Feature image: Mmusi Maimane
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