Herman Mashaba Claps Back At Critics Accusing ActionSA Of Helping ANC In Johannesburg

ActionSA president Herman Mashaba has responded to criticism that his party could help the African National Congress retain control of Johannesburg by pointing to the Democratic Alliance’s cooperation with the ANC in the national Government of National Unity.

Mashaba’s reply was sarcastic, suggesting that ActionSA had learned from the DA’s example of working with the governing party. The exchange comes as parties negotiate over possible coalitions in Gauteng’s metropolitan councils following the 2026 local government elections.

ActionSA has indicated it is prepared to work with the ANC in municipalities, arguing that coalition decisions should be based on what parties believe will benefit residents. Mashaba has described the party’s approach as a practical response to election results rather than a reversal of its principles.

The ANC and DA are both members of the national GNU, formed after the 2024 national election. The coalition brought together parties that had long competed against one another, with the stated purpose of forming a national government after no party won an outright majority. Mashaba’s response uses that arrangement to challenge criticism of ActionSA’s willingness to negotiate with the ANC at municipal level.

The Johannesburg negotiations are politically significant because the DA received the largest share of the vote in the city, with the ANC and ActionSA also securing substantial support. No single party has enough seats to govern alone, making coalition discussions central to determining the city’s leadership and council arrangements.

Mashaba has said ActionSA’s negotiators have begun discussions with the ANC, but no final agreement has been reached. The party has also continued to engage with other political groups. Its stated priorities include service delivery, accountability and stable government.

The debate reflects a broader disagreement over whether cooperation with the ANC should be judged differently depending on the level of government. The DA’s participation in the national GNU has involved shared governance with the ANC, while municipal agreements are negotiated separately and can include different parties and conditions.

Mashaba’s comparison does not mean that ActionSA and the DA are pursuing identical arrangements. The national GNU and a potential Johannesburg coalition differ in their participants, scope and governing responsibilities. His point, however, is that criticism of his party’s local negotiations should also take account of the DA’s existing national partnership with the ANC.

The coming days of negotiations will determine whether ActionSA and the ANC can agree on a workable arrangement in Johannesburg. Until the parties announce a deal, Mashaba’s response remains a political defence of engaging in talks, not confirmation that ActionSA will join an ANC-led administration.

The exchange highlights how national coalition decisions continue to shape debates over local alliances, even where parties face different electoral arithmetic and governance challenges.

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