JOHANNESBURG, GAUTENG — As South Africa looks toward the 2026 Local Government Elections, ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba has firmly outlined his party’s coalition non-negotiables, setting strict prerequisites for any future political partnerships.
While acknowledging the complexities of making national promises during local government elections, Mashaba made it clear that ActionSA will not compromise on its core principles when entering into coalitions, whether governing independently or alongside other political parties.
Speaking on the party’s strategic direction, Mashaba detailed three absolute conditions that any prospective coalition partner must accept.
Zero Tolerance for Corruption
The first and foremost non-negotiable is a strict anti-corruption stance. Mashaba identified corruption as “public enemy number one” and emphasized that all ActionSA public representatives must sign up to this principle. Demonstrating his personal commitment to accountability, Mashaba challenged the public to hold him to the same standard, stating that if he were to steal public money, citizens should not protect him, as he would not protect them in return.
**Equitable Service Delivery**
The second condition centers on unconditional and equitable service delivery. Mashaba stressed that public services must be provided to all areas and communities, regardless of their postal codes. He criticized other political parties for selectively providing services only to certain areas while neglecting others, affirming that ActionSA is committed to serving all communities equally.
Strict Immigration Enforcement
The third non-negotiable involves a strict stance on immigration. Mashaba declared that undocumented and illegal foreign nationals are not welcome in any city governed with ActionSA. He stated that coalition partners must work with the party to collaborate with the Department of Home Affairs, the Department of Labour, and the South African Police Service (SAPS) to ensure all foreign nationals in the country illegally are deported.
Mashaba emphasized that mayors must prioritize South African citizens, noting that other nations must handle their own problems. He highlighted the severe economic realities facing the country, citing that 46% of the population lives in poverty—affecting roughly 12 million people—and that a significant portion of South Africans do not know where their next meal will come from.
A Track Record of Governance
Reflecting on his political journey, Mashaba referenced his tenure as the Mayor of Johannesburg from 2016 to 2019. He explained that his departure from the Democratic Alliance (DA), which he heavily criticized, was driven by the need to start a new political party dedicated to saving and serving all South Africans.
He also highlighted ActionSA’s recent track record, noting that in 2024, the party successfully removed an administration in the city that he described as arrogant and unwilling to provide basic services to the people.
With these clear boundaries established, ActionSA has signaled to other political parties that while they are open to negotiation, any coalition agreement must fundamentally align with their uncompromising stance on corruption, service delivery, and national prioritization.
