The political landscape of Johannesburg shifted dramatically today, Saturday, February 21, 26, as ActionSA officially unveiled its party leader, Herman Mashaba, as its candidate for mayor in the upcoming local government elections.
The announcement, made before hundreds of supporters at the Orlando Community Hall in Soweto, marks a high-stakes return for the 66-year-old former mayor, who led the City of Gold from 2016 to 2019. Mashaba's selection follows an extensive internal process that saw him emerge as the party's chosen face to contest one of South Africa's most pivotal electoral battles.
Stepping back into the ring
Addressing the crowd, Mashaba cast his candidacy in stark, combative terms, signaling a campaign that will prioritise a “turnaround” of the metro.
“I stand before you today in a boxing ring, because that is exactly what this moment is. Johannesburg is in a fight for its future,” Mashaba told supporters.
“I am stepping back into the ring to take back our city. Not for spectacle. Not for drama. But because this city needs a fighter who knows what it takes to win.”
Mashaba painted a sobering portrait of the current state of Johannesburg, explicitly highlighting the crises facing residents:
- Utility Failures: Frequent water outages and ongoing power disruptions.
- Infrastructure Collapse: Crumbling roads, unaddressed potholes, and failing sanitation services.
- Lawlessness: A rising tide of crime and the prevalence of syndicates operating in the city.
A sharpening political contest
Mashaba's entry into the race sets the stage for a high-profile showdown for control of the economic hub. His candidacy directly challenges other major parties, who are looking to secure a foothold in the city ahead of a potentially complex coalition-building process.
Key competitors in the race include:
- Helen Zille (Democratic Alliance): The former Western Cape Premier, whose entry as the DA's candidate prompted intense political maneuvering across the board.
- Loyiso Masuku (African National Congress): The current MMC for Finance, tasked with the uphill battle of retaining the metro for the ANC.
The path forward
As the city braces for an election expected to be defined by coalition dynamics, political analysts point to the entry of the uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK) party as a wildcard that could further compliance the path to a governing majority.
For his part, Mashaba has vowed that his campaign will be defined by action rather than rhetoric, promising a 10-person mayoral committee ready to “hit the ground running” if successful.
“This is a fight against corruption, a fight against incompetence, a fight against lawlessness,” Mashaba declared. “It is a fight to fix Johannesburg.”