ActionSA Leader Tells Zille What They Must Both Give Up For Joburg Government

ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba has reportedly suggested that both he and Democratic Alliance (DA) Federal Council chairperson Helen Zille withdraw from the Johannesburg mayoral race to allow the DA to nominate another candidate.

Mashaba made the proposal in a letter addressed to DA federal leader Geordin Hill-Lewis on November 7, as the two parties continue negotiations over the formation of coalition governments in Gauteng’s three metropolitan municipalities.

Under the proposed arrangement, the DA would retain the Johannesburg mayoral position, while ActionSA would receive the deputy mayor’s office. Mashaba believes resolving the leadership dispute first could help the parties make progress towards negotiating a broader coalition agreement.

The proposal reportedly clarifies earlier claims that Mashaba wanted Zille removed from consideration while remaining a mayoral contender himself. Instead, he has offered to withdraw alongside Zille to make way for a different DA nominee.

Mashaba has also outlined possible arrangements for Tshwane and Ekurhuleni. In Tshwane, he wants DA mayoral candidate Cilliers Brink to give up his council seat and the DA to support ActionSA’s Nasiphi Moya for mayor, with ActionSA also receiving a deputy mayoral position.

In Ekurhuleni, the DA would take the mayoralty, while ActionSA has indicated its willingness to support a DA candidate.

The negotiations follow the 2026 local government elections, which left all three Gauteng metros without an outright majority.

In Johannesburg, the DA secured 34.79% of the vote, followed by the ANC with 20.25% and ActionSA with 16.27%. In Tshwane, the DA received 34.37%, ActionSA 22.07% and the ANC 20.22%. Meanwhile, in Ekurhuleni, the DA obtained 30.68%, the ANC 22.11% and ActionSA 18.5%.

ActionSA’s electoral performance gives it significant bargaining power, although the DA could consider working with the ANC instead. Such an arrangement could potentially secure majority support across all three municipalities.

However, the DA has reportedly shown little enthusiasm for Mashaba’s proposal, with a party insider suggesting that it would be reluctant to replace candidates chosen through its internal selection processes.

ActionSA chairperson Michael Beaumont confirmed that the letter had been submitted but declined to discuss its contents publicly while negotiations remain ongoing.

The discussions now centre on finding common ground over mayoral positions, policy priorities and stable coalition arrangements. Whether Mashaba’s proposed compromise will convince the DA to work with ActionSA remains to be seen.

https://x.com/Markosonke1/status/2120019543871406421

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