Herman Mashaba hesitant to run for Johannesburg mayor as ActionSA expands coalition

ActionSA leader, Herman Mashaba, has expressed his reluctance to run for the position of mayor of Johannesburg as his party announced the addition of two smaller political groups to its coalition.

On Monday, Mashaba and his team welcomed the Azanian Independent Community Movement (AICM) and the Creative Congress Movement (CCM) into the ActionSA fold, during a press briefing hosted by the Green Umbrella initiative in Johannesburg.

In a statement Mashaba said, “Today marks yet another milestone in this journey, as community-rooted parties from across the provinces join under the ActionSA banner, bringing our total representation to nearly 150 public representatives.” .

Tshepo Mashiane, leader of the CCM, indicated that members of his party, who are among the most exploited workers in the creative sector, see themselves in ActionSA.

"We are truly appreciative of being part of this journey. The Green Umbrella is indeed our home because all the creatives know our situation.  We must make our mark here and lead the creative sector as we head into the local government elections," Mashiane stated.

Mashaba said he is excited to welcome people from the creative sector, saying this will allow the party to have professional creative practitioners championing the work of the Green Umbrella movement.

"I am very excited about welcoming practitioners from the creative industry. These are professionals working in the creative sector," he said.

The party said these two parties, despite not having a broad national footprint, are often the most in touch with local needs and best placed to fight for the interests of their communities.

“For decades, our communities have endured a system broken by failed establishment political parties that are either incompetent, corrupt, trade in broken promises, or guilty of all of the above,” Mashaba said.

ActionSA chairperson, Michael Beaumont, urged South Africans to rethink the way they vote and elect their leaders, saying if they continue like this, nothing much will change.

"We are saying to the people, look out for ActionSA because ActionSA is growing very rapidly. When it comes to alternatives in the North West, Eastern Cape, and other provinces, if South Africans vote the same way they have always voted, they will suffer the same way they have been suffering for the next 50 to 110 years. We are going to be working on the ground to ensure that South Africans understand that change is needed," he stated.

On his mayoral candidacy in the City of Johannesburg, Mashaba said the party wants new leaders to take the party forward, adding that only in the event that the party is unable to attract such young leaders, would he consider himself for the position.

"We have made it clear as ActionSA that we are looking for another Nasiphi Moya and another Xolani Khumalo. But if they are not available, Herman Mashaba will then make himself available. However, we are yet to announce our mayoral candidate," he added.

siyabonga.sithole@inl.co.za