Television actor Gabriel Temudzani, who is widely recognised for playing Chief Vhafuwi Azwindini on the SABC soap opera Muvhango, has ditched the ANC joined ActionSA.
The political party announced Temudzani’s membership on Monday.
Temudzani said his decision to enter politics was something he had been considering for a long time.
He stressed that joining politics does not mean he is walking away from the entertainment industry, saying his decision was motivated by his concerns about the direction South Africa is taking.
“I decided to soberly and consciously embrace ActionSA,” Temudzani said. “I feel compelled and committed to stand up and participate politically.”
The 46-year-old thespian portrayed the character of Azwindini on Muvhango from 2000 until the soap opera ended in 2025.
Despite spending decades in the entertainment industry, Temudzani said politics had always been part of his life.
He said South Africans could not avoid being affected by political decisions, even if they chose not to participate actively in politics.
“One is compelled to be privy to politics and affected by it,” he said. “We might choose not to be active, but those in charge will make decisions that affect us, hence, here we are. I’ve always been involved in politics.”
Temudzani who had previously announced in 2019 that he and his fellow actor Sydney Ramakuwela would campaign for the ANC , said he has now decided to change direction and support ActionSA.
“I feel that the green party is the only vehicle that can steer us away from our current downward trajectory,” Temudzani said.
He said he believed ActionSA could bring about a new political dispensation that was focused on its purpose, placed people at the centre and improved service delivery, particularly for black South Africans.
“ActionSA inspires real hope for our nation,” he said.
Temudzani also addressed criticism often directed at celebrities who enter politics, arguing that public figures should be allowed to make their own political choices.
He said viewing celebrities as people without independent opinions could prevent them from contributing meaningfully to society.
“People often treat public figures like robots or assume they don’t have their own voice,” he said. “I am an independent individual, and I make my own choices.”
Temudzani said his decision was influenced by his observations of the challenges facing South Africa.
“As a South African, I see what is happening in our country, and much of it could have been avoided,” he said.
He said those who allowed criticism from others to prevent them from participating in politics risked missing an opportunity to contribute to meaningful change.
Temudzani said ActionSA could play an important role in driving progress despite the presence of several established political parties.
He criticised political parties that had promised to rebuild the country but failed to produce visible results.
“We’ve seen so many political parties promise to rebuild and recover, yet produce no tangible results,” he said.
According to Temudzani, corruption, self-interest and the collapse of political organisations had become major problems that needed to be confronted.
He said South Africa needed a new political vehicle capable of taking the country forward and believed ActionSA could fulfil that role.
“We need a new political vehicle to move us forward, and I believe ActionSA is that vehicle,” he said.
Temudzani said he was not joining the party because he wanted a particular political position or office.
Instead, he said his priority was to serve South Africans wherever ActionSA required him.
“For me, it’s not about positions, it’s about serving the people of South Africa,” he said.
He said urgent action was needed to address the deterioration of municipalities and improve basic service delivery across the country.
“We need to clean up our republic and our cities,” Temudzani said.
He argued that poor governance and negligence had been allowed to continue for too long.
Temudzani pointed to failing municipal services, including sewage problems, as examples of the challenges facing communities.
He questioned why officials responsible for maintaining services appeared to take no action despite municipal budgets being approved.
“Budgets are passed, yet nothing changes. That simply cannot continue,” he said.
With the local government elections approaching, Temudzani called on South Africans to carefully consider their choices at the ballot box.
He urged voters to support a political party that could deliver meaningful results.