ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba has thrown his support behind the newly launched Vuka Azania movement, calling on Black South Africans to organise themselves, fund institutions that advance their interests and take greater ownership of their economic future.
In an opinion piece released on Thursday, Mashaba stressed that he was expressing his views in his personal capacity as a South African citizen and patriot, rather than as the leader of a political party.
Mashaba praised the initiative led by the organisation’s founder Dr Muzi Sikhakhane, SC describing Vuka Azania as a long-overdue movement focused on the advancement of black South Africans.
“I believe Vuka Azania is a good initiative, and frankly, it is long overdue,” he said.
He said he had followed Sikhakhane’s work for some time, read his book and admired his vision, mission and objectives, although he acknowledged that he may not agree with every aspect of the movement’s approach.
Mashaba argued that black South Africans needed to have honest conversations about their position in the economy, including ownership of productive assets, access to opportunities, education, entrepreneurship, employment and long-term economic prosperity.
He urged black South Africans not only to engage with the movement but also to contribute financially and intellectually to ensure its success.
“If black South Africans believe that the protection and advancement of their interests matter, then we cannot expect someone else to build and sustain organisations that will do this work on our behalf,” Mashaba said
Drawing comparisons with organisations such as AfriForum, Mashaba said there was nothing wrong with black South Africans establishing institutions dedicated to protecting and advancing their own interests.
He rejected suggestions that supporting an organisation focused on black empowerment amounted to racism or discrimination, arguing that advocating for the interests of black South Africans should not be interpreted as hostility towards other racial groups.
According to Mashaba, South Africa’s constitutional commitment to belonging to all who live in the country does not prevent communities from organising themselves around issues affecting their economic and social development.
He said Vuka Azania’s leadership should ensure that the movement remains constructive and avoids becoming a platform driven by resentment or hatred.
“The movement must be about building. It must be about economic empowerment. It must be about ownership. It must be about education and skills. It must be about entrepreneurship and job creation,” he said.
Mashaba also emphasised the importance of transparency and accountability, saying the organisation had a responsibility to ensure that every rand contributed by supporters was used responsibly and in pursuit of its stated objectives.
He warned that the movement’s success or failure would have wider implications for black South Africans, placing a significant responsibility on its leadership to lead with integrity, discipline and a clear vision.
While reaffirming his political responsibilities as ActionSA leader, Mashaba said his support for the initiative stemmed from his belief that black South Africans have every right to organise themselves and establish institutions that seek to improve their economic and social standing.
He concluded by urging black South Africans to stop waiting for others to solve their challenges and instead take responsibility for shaping their own future through participation, organisation and institution-building.
“We cannot continue to complain about the state of black South Africans while refusing to take ownership of the responsibility to change it,” Mashaba said.
For more information, read Herman Mashaba’s full opinion piece on our opinion page.