Mashaba hints at ActionSA's ideal mayoral candidate for Joburg

ACTIONSA leader, Herman Mashaba, played his cards close to the chest when asked whether he would run for the position of mayor 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.

In the event that he does, he would be up against the likes of Helen Zille, whom he once worked with during his time in the DA. 

Mashaba made the remarks when his party announced the addition of two smaller political groups to its coalition on Monday.

These organisations announced during a press briefing hosted by the Green Umbrella initiative in Johannesburg include the  Azanian Independent Community Movement (AICM) and the Creative Congress Movement (CCM).

“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,” Mashaba said in a statement.

Tshepo Mashiane, leader of the CCM, said 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.

ActionSA 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.

"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.

Cape Times