Herman Mashaba, ActionSA president
Image: Itumeleng English/Independent Newspapers
Since ActionSA’s inception in 2020, our mission has been clear: to provide South Africans with a credible alternative to the broken political system that has failed them for decades.
As the founder and leader of ActionSA, I have always believed that true change can only be achieved through principled leadership and unwavering independence.
Today, I want to address two questions that seem to surface repeatedly in recent times: 1) Is ActionSA politically aligned with the ANC? 2) Has ActionSA been taken for a ride by the ANC regarding ongoing budget approval processes?
Let me state this unequivocally: ActionSA is not politically aligned with the ANC, nor do we intend to be. We engage with the ANC and other parties on an issue-by-issue basis, always with the aim of serving the best interests of all South Africans.
ActionSA was born out of frustration with the status quo. After leaving the DA, I founded this party to challenge the entrenched systems that have perpetuated inequality, corruption, and inefficiency in South Africa.
Our core values remain rooted in creating a prosperous, non-racial, and secure future for all South Africans. These values remain incompatible with the ANC’s track record of misgovernance, which has left millions in poverty and failed to address many critical issues, such as unemployment, energy security, dangerously porous borders, and public safety.
In June 2024, ActionSA was invited by the ANC to join the Government of National Unity (GNU) after the then governing party suffered its worst electoral defeat since 1994, securing only 40% of the vote. This marked a historic moment where the ANC lost its majority in parliament and was forced to seek coalition partners.
Despite this invitation, ActionSA firmly rejected any participation in the GNU. Our decision was guided by strategic considerations and our commitment to serving as a strong, yet constructive, opposition party rather than diluting our principles by aligning with a coalition government which seemed set to only perpetuate ANC policies in the guise of a GNU.
While some opposition parties chose to join the GNU – arguably compromising their independence – ActionSA stood firm. We still believe that South Africa needs an effective opposition to hold government accountable. Joining forces with the ANC – other than doing so on an ‘issue-by-issue’ basis – would undermine our ability to fulfil the role we have chosen for ourselves during this GNU era. It would also betray our promise to voters who entrusted us with their support as an alternative to traditional politics.
Our independence extends beyond rejecting collaboration with the ANC; it also includes distancing ourselves from coalition formations that fail to uphold their commitments. In June 2024, ActionSA withdrew from the Multi-Party Charter (MPC) after it became clear that other parties had violated the publicly signed agreements which ruled out working relationships with the ANC, only to later renege on these commitments.
We will not compromise our principles for political expediency or short-term gains. We are mindful, nevertheless, that the changed political terrain following the 2024 general elections requires, even from ActionSA, a level of strategic agility and issue-by-issue collaboration for South Africa.
The question of political alignment is not merely theoretical; it speaks directly to how South Africans perceive their options for leadership. For too long, voters have been presented with binary choices – either support a failing ANC or align with fragmented opposition coalitions that lack cohesion and vision. ActionSA offers a third option: independent leadership that prioritises solutions over alliances. Our independence allows us to focus on issues that matter most to South Africans without being constrained by political compromises.
Whether it’s addressing Eskom’s energy crisis, reforming local governance, or creating jobs, we approach every challenge with a singular focus on what is best for citizens – not what is politically convenient. We believe, of course, that if the solutions we offer benefit South Africans, they will reward us with more electoral support so that we can do more for our country.
Despite being a relatively young party, ActionSA has already demonstrated its ability to unseat the ANC in areas where it once held dominance. In recent by-elections, we achieved double digit growth in black voting districts previously controlled by the ANC – a testament to our growing appeal across racial and economic divides. This success reinforces our belief that South Africans are ready for change and willing to support a party that stands firmly against corruption and inefficiency.
Moreover, we believe that our presence in parliament – through a modest caucus of six MPs – has been impactful. We have positioned ourselves as an unofficial opposition force capable of “punching above our weight” by focusing on substantive issues and actions rather than political theatrics and threats to violently bring down the entire democratic edifice.
As we move forward, ActionSA remains committed to its founding principles of independence and accountability. While we may engage with other parties on specific issues where we believe collaboration serves public good – such as in our leadership of the multiparty coalition in the Tshwane Metro and in ongoing national budget approval processes – we will never compromise our values or align ourselves with entities that perpetuate South Africa’s pains. This includes maintaining a clear distance from the ANC’s governance model, which we believe is fundamentally flawed.
To those who question whether ActionSA can remain independent while navigating South Africa’s complex political landscape; our track record speaks for itself. We have consistently rejected opportunities for political alignment whenever they conflicted with our core principles, and we feared they would not benefit South Africa. This stance will not change.
No one can deny that our country remains at a crossroads. The 2024 elections have shown that citizens are ready for change, even if they remain uncertain about where to place most of their trust. We’re also quite aware that the choices we recently made in supporting the passing of the fiscal framework with conditions for the budget to be reworked in favour of the taxpayers – continue to attract a lot of public and analyst attention. Some of it is good; some of it is bad.
We totally understand the tense levels of expectations of what lies ahead and believe that all remains possible for a favourable outcome. We were aware of the risks in putting our hand in the toxic political mix, but you can rest assured that we did it for good intentions, aware of the reputational risks. We’re also quite aware that success depends on the goodwill of other parties involved in the process, particularly the ANC.
As ActionSA, we are not beholden to any party or ideology; we are beholden to an obstinate determination to Fix South Africa. We believe that together, we have what it takes to set South Africa free from its restraints and to create a country in which every citizen – irrespective of his/her identity - has an opportunity to thrive.
It is not the fire we must go through to finally shine; it is how we manage our way through the fire that must demonstrate our character.
* Herman Mashaba, ActionSA president
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