Mashaba Refuses To Be Bullied Over ActionSA’s Coalition Decisions
ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba has insisted that his party will not be pressured into coalition agreements, declaring that its political independence and decision-making authority are non-negotiable as negotiations continue following the 2026 local government elections.
In an opinion piece published today, Saturday, 14 November, Mashaba criticised political commentators, figures and supporters of other parties whom he accused of attempting to dictate ActionSA’s coalition choices.
“ActionSA is an independent political party. We are not an extension of the DA, the ANC, the EFF or any other political organisation,” he wrote.
His remarks come amid coalition negotiations in Johannesburg, Tshwane and Ekurhuleni, where ActionSA has emerged as an influential player.
Mashaba said the party was willing to work with different political organisations but would not compromise on its conditions. He has opposed the DA’s proposed mayoral candidates Helen Zille in Johannesburg and Cilliers Brink in Tshwane, while backing incumbent Tshwane Mayor Nasiphi Moya’s continued leadership.
In a proposal sent to DA leader Geordin Hill-Lewis on 7 November, Mashaba offered to withdraw from the Johannesburg mayoral race if Zille also stepped aside, allowing the DA to nominate another candidate. He also proposed that Brink relinquish his Tshwane council seat in exchange for DA support for Moya. ActionSA, however, indicated it was open to supporting a DA mayoral candidate in Ekurhuleni.
The two leaders met on Thursday, 12 November, in what Mashaba described as a frank and productive engagement, although no coalition agreement has been announced.
Mashaba also revisited ActionSA’s difficult history with the DA, including his resignation as Johannesburg mayor in 2019, the collapse of the multiparty coalition between 2021 and 2023, and ActionSA’s departure from the Multiparty Charter after the DA joined the ANC-led Government of National Unity in 2024.
Defending his party’s coalition approach, Mashaba pointed to Tshwane, where Moya became mayor in October 2024 through an arrangement supported by ActionSA, the ANC and the EF