By Akani Nkuna
ActionSA on Monday announced political mergers with the Azanian Independent Community Movement and the Creatives Congress Movement, saying the additions would strengthen its local governance footprint and its push to win control of municipalities ahead of the Local Government Elections (LGE).
ActionSA President Herman Mashaba said at a press briefing that the smaller parties’ limited national presence was immaterial because the partnership would draw on their relatability with local residents, and help deliver tailored solutions aligned with community interests.
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“For decades, our communities have endured a system broken by failed establishment political parties that are either incompetent, corrupt, trade in broken promises, or are guilty of all of the above,” said Mashaba.
“To bring an end to the sickness, ActionsSA’s focus is on uniting a diverse group of political parties under the Green Umbrella Project. Under a single banner, we are giving communities a unified voice and real chance at change.”
Mashaba said the Green Umbrella Project had expanded ActionSA’s public representatives from 91 to 141 nationally.
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He said that ActionSA would continue seeking partnerships with “like-minded” parties to ensure South Africa thrives across all spheres.
With both merger partners based in the North West, Mashaba said the move was strategic and aimed at consolidating support in the province while extending ActionSA’s reach into municipalities it views as critical to economic growth and development.
“The momentum we are building is not about power but about partnership and about restoring faith that South Africa can still be fixed when we work side by side,” he said.
Mashaba’s remarks come after he told News24 on Friday last week that he was under pressure to put his name forward as ActionSA’s Johannesburg mayoral candidate, a position he previously held from 2016 to 2019 under the Democratic Alliance (DA).
He praised ActionSA’s deployed leaders, including Tshwane mayor Nasiphi Moya, and said he would only make himself available for Johannesburg if the party could not secure a candidate of Moya’s calibre, describing her as selfless and ready for the job.
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Mashaba said ActionSA would formally announce its Johannesburg candidate “in a big event” on 21 February in Soweto after internal processes were concluded and a suitable candidate identified.
He also said he had “unfinished business” as mayor of the city.
“We are looking for another Nasiphi Moya, we are looking for another Xolani Khumalo, but in an event they are not available, then Herman Mashaba will make himself available,” he said.
ActionSA chairperson Michael Beaumont told reporters at the briefing that Mashaba was indeed under consideration as the party’s Johannesburg mayoral candidate, saying the city’s importance as one of South Africa’s economic hubs required a candidate capable of delivering the output needed to get Johannesburg working again.
Beaumont also criticised current ANC Johannesburg mayor Dada Morero and the DA’s mayoral candidate, veteran Helen Zille, describing them as “disastrous alternative” options.
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He said the city would remain ungovernable under their leadership.
“ActionSA is going to be putting[forward] a candidate that gives many Joburg residents hope,” Beaumont said.
Wiseman Dibakwe, the leader of the Azanian Independent Community Movement, welcomed the merger and said it was important for promoting accountability and transparency.
“It is very important sometimes that we make decisions not only for us or for the current moment, it is very important that we make decisions that will safeguard our future. Through this cooperation, we will advance the interests of our communities and collaborate on key initiatives,” Dibakwe said.
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