The 2024 general elections delivered a seismic shock to South Africa’s political landscape, ending the ANC’s 30-year majority. But for one party leader, the results also delivered a tough, personal lesson. ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba now says his three-year-old party was “punished” by voters, and he’s taking full responsibility.
In a candid reflection, Mashaba pinpointed two critical missteps that led to the party securing just 1.2% of the national vote and six parliamentary seats.
The “Toxic” Alliance and a Strategy That Stretched Too Thin
According to Mashaba, ActionSA’s association with the Democratic Alliance (DA) within the Multi-Party Charter proved to be a major liability. “I think our association with the DA was very toxic,” he admitted. This perception created a perfect storm of voter skepticism.
“Black voters punished us because they thought we would give our votes to the DA. On the other hand, white voters thought, ‘let them vote for the DA,’” Mashaba explained, highlighting how the partnership alienated potential supporters from all sides.
He also conceded that the party’s ambition outpaced its infrastructure. Contesting all nine provinces was, in hindsight, “too much” for a party launched in 2020. “We’ve understood it was not the right move,” he stated.
Underestimating the MK Party Wave
Mashaba also offered a mea culpa for misreading the political threat posed by former President Jacob Zuma’s uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party. “When Jacob Zuma announced his new party, I took it lightly. I did not take him as a threat. I take personal responsibility for that,” he said.
This admission acknowledges how the MK Party’s stunning debutcapturing 14.58% of the vote and becoming the third-largest partydramatically reshuffled the opposition deck, siphoning off support that newer parties like ActionSA might have hoped to win.
Analysts Point to Identity and Organizational Hurdles
Political analysts echo Mashaba’s own assessment but add deeper layers. Professor Theo Neethling noted that ActionSA struggled to be seen as “truly independent from the DA” and lacked the grassroots structures outside Gauteng to mount a serious national campaign.
Furthermore, independent analyst Goodenough Mashego pointed to a fundamental challenge of perception among black voters. “The party is seen as a DA breakaway… MK Party’s all-black leadership appeals more to voters in this context,” Mashego explained, suggesting that ActionSA’s leadership image hampered its ability to connect.
The Road to 2026: A Smarter, More Focused Fight
Learning from these hard lessons, Mashaba is already plotting a comeback for the 2026 local government elections. The new strategy is one of focused precision, not national blanket coverage.
“We are not going to contest all municipalities,” he revealed. “We will focus on those where no party can govern without us.” This means targeting 30 to 44 specific municipalities where ActionSA can become a decisive kingmaker or outright winner, concentrating its energy and resources for maximum impact.
The message from Mashaba is clear: the 2024 election was a painful but necessary lesson. By shedding a “toxic” alliance, admitting strategic overreach, and adopting a more targeted approach, ActionSA believes it has the blueprint to bounce back stronger. The real test will be whether voters in those key municipalities are willing to give them a second look.
