Herman Mashaba, the leader of ActionSA and former DA mayor of Johannesburg, is stepping down as a councillor in the city, having served since November 2021.
Mashaba was resigning so that he could focus on growing the party across the country, in preparation for national and provincial elections in 2024.
Mashaba’s ActionSA did well in the November municipal elections, which also marked the party’s first foray into electoral politics. The party only put up candidates in six municipalities and had its best performance in Johannesburg, where it emerged as the third-biggest party, with 16% of the vote. It is also a coalition partner in a number of municipalities.
Mashaba was quoted as saying: ‘I have consulted my caucus and the senate of ActionSA and there is agreement that my time must be spent leading the campaign to grow ActionSA to mount a challenge to the ANC in 2024. The important work of expanding ActionSA will require constant travelling to set up structures across the country and my council seat should be filled by someone who is available to the needs of the residents of Johannesburg.’