JOHANNESBURG, Gauteng — ActionSA has officially concluded its local government elections campaign with a final rally in Hillbrow, Johannesburg, as the political party sets its sights on securing significant representation across 80 municipalities nationwide.
The party’s final campaign event was strategically held in Hillbrow, a neighborhood that vividly illustrates the basic service delivery challenges the party is campaigning against. The rally took place just outside a derelict, partially hijacked building with broken windows and visible structural deterioration. Highlighting the municipality’s struggles, a massive pile of uncollected refuse sat outside the venue—a situation exacerbated by ongoing labor disputes between the city and the South African Municipal Workers Union (SAMWU).
Expanding Its Electoral Footprint
During the 2021 local government elections, ActionSA contested in just six municipalities, primarily focusing on Gauteng’s metropolitan areas. In that election, the party secured 45 seats in Johannesburg, making it the third-largest party in the council behind the ANC and the Democratic Alliance (DA), and surpassing the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF). Overall, the party won 90 seats across Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal.
This historical performance contributed to the ANC dropping below the 50% threshold in Johannesburg. Now, the party declares it is “no longer just a party of metros” and is ready to govern in over 80 municipalities across the country, aiming to consolidate its power in the city center while expanding its national reach.
Key Priorities and Spokesperson Directives
At the rally, party leadership and key spokespersons outlined a stringent manifesto focused on uprooting corruption, enforcing the rule of law, and restoring basic services.
Party founder and former Johannesburg Mayor Herman Mashaba emphasized that reviving the inner city and tackling illegal immigration remain his core priorities. Mashaba announced plans to create a specialized unit within the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD), working in close collaboration with the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the Department of Home Affairs. He argued that the city is crumbling under the pressure of undocumented immigrants who he claims abuse state resources and undermine the rule of law.
Dr. Nasiphi Moya highlighted the party’s expanded vision, noting that the current mayor of Tshwane should be supported in her mission to drive growth and social security in the capital. Dr. Moya stressed that the severe water and electricity challenges facing families have reinforced the party’s commitment to basic service delivery, calling the resolution of these utility crises their primary “obsession.”
Meanwhile, crime activist Kumalo, representing the party’s interests in Ekurhuleni, took a hardline stance on law and order. Kumalo promised to clean out corrupt officials, enforce the law, and create jobs. Taking a zero-tolerance approach to substance abuse, Kumalo vowed to eradicate drugs from the streets, warning drug dealers to “start begging now” as the party intends to remove all illicit substances, not just some.
Political Dynamics and Criticisms
The campaign wrap-up comes at a critical time for Johannesburg, a city that has experienced shifting political dynamics, frequent changes in mayoral leadership, water shortages, and localized infrastructure disasters over the past five years.
Despite its strong opposition stance, ActionSA has faced criticism from political analysts and rivals who argue the party has failed to hold the ANC accountable. Critics suggest that by refusing to take executive responsibility or join coalition governments, the party has opted to play a perpetual opposition role rather than directly implementing the changes it advocates for.
As the countdown to election day continues, ActionSA is banking on its expanded municipal targets and strict law-and-order policies to convert its 2021 momentum into governing majorities across the country.
