Politics / Southafrica
Herman Mashaba on ActionSA and Political Integrity
Herman Mashaba, president of ActionSA, discusses the party's strategy for the upcoming 2026 municipal elections, emphasizing the importance of attracting smaller parties to expand their councillor base. He highlights the need for a firm stance against undocumented migrants as part of his vision for Johannesburg's revitalization.
Source material: THE LEAD | Herman Mashaba on refusing to work with Zille, declining a Cabinet post
Summary
Herman Mashaba, president of ActionSA, discusses the party's strategy for the upcoming 2026 municipal elections, emphasizing the importance of attracting smaller parties to expand their councillor base. He highlights the need for a firm stance against undocumented migrants as part of his vision for Johannesburg's revitalization.
Mashaba reflects on his past experiences with the DA, acknowledging mistakes made during his tenure that affected ActionSA's performance in national polls. He stresses the significance of maintaining integrity in politics and his reluctance to collaborate with Helen Zille due to trust issues.
The inner city revitalization plan aims to expropriate derelict buildings for private sector development, projected to create thousands of jobs and address housing shortages. Mashaba emphasizes the urgency of transforming Johannesburg into a construction hub while maintaining a firm stance against undocumented migrants.
Mashaba critiques the current human rights discourse for prioritizing the rights of undocumented foreigners over law-abiding South Africans. He calls for a strong police force to implement policies addressing undocumented migrants and improving conditions in areas like Alexandra.
Perspectives
short
Herman Mashaba and ActionSA
- Emphasizes attracting smaller parties to expand councillor base
- Stresses the need for a firm stance against undocumented migrants
- Critiques the DA for past mistakes affecting party performance
- Highlights the urgency of revitalizing Johannesburgs inner city
- Calls for accountability in governance and rejects ANC offers
- Aims to reduce unemployment and enhance public education
Helen Zille and the DA
- Accused of dishonesty and betrayal by Mashaba
- Perceived as a barrier to effective governance in Johannesburg
- Criticized for secret dealings with the ANC
Neutral / Shared
- Discusses the complexities of political alliances
- Acknowledges the challenges of addressing undocumented migration
Metrics
votes
more than a half a million votes
votes received in the 2021 municipal polls
This reflects the party's initial electoral strength.
more than a half a million votes in those municipal polls
votes
over half a million votes units
total votes received in the 2021 municipal elections
This figure highlights the initial electoral support for ActionSA.
we received such a swell of support because we were independent just coming out of out of the DA
housing backlog
over 300,000 units
housing backlog in Johannesburg during his previous tenure
Addressing this backlog is crucial for urban development and public welfare.
I nearly did a city with over 300,000 housing backlogs.
housing backlog increase
50,000 units
estimated increase in housing backlog since his tenure
This increase highlights the growing urgency of housing issues in Johannesburg.
I can imagine right now must have increased by 50,000 or so.
investment
32 billion rents ZAR
projected investment from private sector development
This investment is crucial for addressing housing shortages and economic growth.
we were going to see an investment of 32 billion rents out of those properties in construction.
identified_properties
over 600 properties
properties identified for expropriation
A larger pool of properties increases the potential for successful revitalization.
I had already identified over 600 properties.
other
one of the big taxpayers in this country
Mashaba's position as a taxpayer
It highlights his perspective on the responsibilities of taxpayers in the human rights discourse.
I find it for me and my family we one of the big taxpayers in this country
revenue
120 million rents ZAR
budget collection exceeding expectations
This indicates improved financial management under Mashaba's leadership.
they collected 120 million rents more than more than what they budgeted for
Key entities
Timeline highlights
00:00–05:00
Herman Mashaba, president of ActionSA, is focused on attracting smaller parties for the 2026 municipal elections while maintaining a firm stance against undocumented migrants. His commitment to the rule of law is underscored by his reaction to EFF leader Julius Malema's conviction for illegal firearm discharge.
- Herman Mashaba, president of ActionSA and former mayor of Johannesburg, aims to replicate his partys success in the 2026 municipal elections by attracting smaller parties to join without needing to win by-elections
- Mashabas stance against welcoming undocumented migrants reflects his commitment to addressing urban challenges in Johannesburg and is crucial for his political agenda
- Following the conviction of EFF leader Julius Malema for illegal firearm discharge, Mashaba emphasizes the need for the rule of law, insisting that all individuals should face consequences for their actions
- ActionSA, which started as the sixth largest political party in South Africa in 2020, has fallen to eighth place in national polls, indicating a need for strategic reassessment
- Mashabas refusal to collaborate with DA candidate Helen Zille in future coalitions underscores his commitment to political integrity, potentially affecting future alliances in Johannesburg
- He is actively working to reclaim problematic buildings in the city, viewing this as essential for urban renewal and improved living conditions in Johannesburg
05:00–10:00
Herman Mashaba attributes ActionSA's initial success in the 2021 municipal elections to a focused strategy in six municipalities, resulting in over half a million votes. He acknowledges that expanding beyond these areas strained resources and negatively impacted the party's performance in national polls.
- Herman Mashaba credits ActionSAs initial success in the 2021 municipal elections to a targeted strategy in six municipalities, which garnered over half a million votes
- He recognizes that attempting to expand beyond these municipalities was a misstep that strained the partys resources and contributed to its decline in national polls
- Mashaba highlights the need to understand voter perceptions, particularly the underestimated fears of black voters regarding the Democratic Alliance, which affected electoral outcomes
- He shares his personal experiences within the DA, noting the skepticism he faced from family and the community after becoming the mayoral candidate, reflecting broader concerns about the partys reputation
- The former mayor argues that ethical leadership and strong organizational structures are essential for political success, asserting that his experiences with the DA motivated the creation of ActionSA for greater independence
- Mashaba warns that political alliances require careful consideration, as miscalculations can alienate potential supporters, illustrating the complexities of coalition politics in South Africa
10:00–15:00
Herman Mashaba's departure from the DA was influenced by his disapproval of Helen Zille's secret dealings with the ANC, which he perceived as a betrayal. He emphasizes his commitment to integrity in politics and the challenges of future collaboration with Zille due to a lack of trust.
- Herman Mashabas departure from the DA was driven by his disapproval of Helen Zilles secret dealings with the ANC, which he viewed as a betrayal of trust
- Zilles discussions about a motion of no confidence against Mashaba marked a significant breakdown in their relationship, contradicting the DAs anti-corruption stance
- Despite shared values with some DA members, Mashaba found Zilles actions incompatible with his principles, highlighting an ideological divide within the party
- Mashaba believes that any future collaboration with Zille would be unfeasible due to his lack of trust, indicating potential conflict in future political scenarios
- His commitment to integrity in politics fuels his refusal to engage with practices he considers dishonest, appealing to voters who value authenticity
- As he prepares for the municipal elections, Mashaba is focused on strengthening ActionSA and its initiatives, positioning himself competitively against Zille
15:00–20:00
Herman Mashaba emphasizes integrity in politics and is cautious about negotiating coalitions, particularly with the DA, unless electorally compelled. He aims to address Johannesburg's housing challenges and reclaim hijacked buildings, leveraging his previous mayoral experience.
- Herman Mashaba prioritizes integrity in politics, refusing to negotiate with Helen Zille due to her perceived dishonesty, which he believes undermines trust
- He is skeptical about forming a coalition with the DA, stating he would only negotiate if the electorate demands it, ensuring that any discussions are transparent and led by him
- The Green Umbrella initiative is designed to draw smaller civic associations to ActionSA, resulting in over 50 new councillors since the last elections
- Housing is a major focus for Mashaba, who aims to address Johannesburgs housing backlog, leveraging his previous mayoral experience to tackle these issues effectively
- He is committed to reclaiming hijacked and abandoned buildings in Johannesburg, viewing this as essential to combatting the influence of criminal syndicates
- Mashaba believes his deep understanding of Johannesburgs complexities makes him the most qualified candidate to lead the city, drawing on lessons from his past tenure as mayor
20:00–25:00
Herman Mashaba's inner city revitalization plan aims to expropriate derelict buildings for private sector development, projected to create thousands of jobs and address housing shortages. He emphasizes the need for immediate action to transform Johannesburg into a construction hub while maintaining a firm stance against undocumented migrants.
- Herman Mashaba emphasizes the importance of his inner city revitalization plan, which aims to expropriate derelict buildings for private sector development. This initiative is projected to generate significant investment and create thousands of jobs, addressing both housing shortages and economic growth
- He asserts that during his previous tenure, he successfully awarded numerous properties for development, which could lead to the construction of over 14,000 housing units. This contrasts sharply with the limited housing outcomes achieved under the ANCs management
- Mashaba plans to prioritize the inner city project upon returning to office, aiming to expedite construction and development. He believes that immediate action is necessary to transform Johannesburg into a bustling construction site
- He expresses a firm stance against undocumented migrants, stating that they will not be welcomed in Johannesburg. This approach is intended to address local issues while ensuring that the citys resources are allocated to its residents
- Mashaba warns of the potential for xenophobia if illegal migration is not managed carefully, acknowledging the countrys troubled history with violence against foreigners. He aims to implement a professional unit within the JMPD to enforce immigration laws effectively
- He insists that any negotiations with the DA must be based on respect and honesty, rejecting any collaboration with individuals he perceives as dishonest. This sets a clear boundary for future political alliances, emphasizing his commitment to integrity in governance
25:00–30:00
Herman Mashaba critiques the current human rights discourse for prioritizing the rights of undocumented foreigners over law-abiding South Africans. He emphasizes the need for a strong police force and a mandate to implement policies addressing undocumented migrants and improving conditions in areas like Alexandra.
- Herman Mashaba expresses concern that discussions around human rights often overlook the rights of law-abiding South Africans. He argues that the focus should be on protecting citizens rather than undocumented foreigners
- Mashaba criticizes the South African Human Rights Commission for failing to uphold the rights of taxpayers and law-abiding citizens. He believes that the current human rights discourse is skewed in favor of those who violate the law
- He emphasizes the need for a strong police force to address issues related to illegal migrants without compromising human rights. This approach is crucial for ensuring the safety and well-being of South African citizens
- Mashaba calls for a mandate to implement his policies effectively, particularly regarding the management of undocumented migrants. He insists that without proper authority, he cannot make the necessary changes to improve conditions in areas like Alexandra
- He reflects on the challenges ActionSA faces in navigating alliances with other political parties, particularly the ANC and DA. This situation presents a dilemma, as he must balance collaboration with maintaining the partys integrity
- Mashaba acknowledges the risks involved in working with the ANC, given past experiences with the DA. He believes that strategic decisions are necessary to ensure ActionSAs survival and effectiveness in the political landscape