Herman Mashaba admits ActionSA’s ties with DA hurt party at polls

ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba says the party’s ties with the Democratic Alliance (DA) cost it crucial support during the 2024 national elections, particularly among black voters.

Speaking to the SABC, Mashaba said many South Africans saw ActionSA as “DA light” because of the association, which he now admits was a strategic mistake.

Strategic missteps

Mashaba reflected on the party’s growth since its August 2020 launch, highlighting gains of six parliamentary seats and more than 140 councillors nationwide. But he conceded that rapid expansion across all provinces diluted its campaign impact.

“The mistake we made as a party was to overstretch ourselves to all provinces at the same time,” Mashaba said.

Despite those challenges, he noted ActionSA’s entry into the National Assembly was a milestone for a young opposition party.

The Moonshot Pact backlash

Mashaba was critical of the Moonshot Pact, a pre-election opposition coalition that included the DA. While it was intended to strengthen the opposition against the ANC, Mashaba said it alienated ActionSA’s core supporters.

“Unfortunately, I did not realise how deep black voters are scared of DA. In our association with DA, they thought we were DA light,” he explained.

He also revealed that the pact discouraged smaller parties from joining ActionSA, delaying potential partnerships.

New focus ahead of 2026 elections

Since the elections, ActionSA has expanded influence in the North West province, forming a partnership with the Forum for Service Delivery, which added 36 councillors to its ranks.

Mashaba reiterated that ActionSA’s core mission is to push for ethical leadership and service delivery in black communities, contrasting his approach with the DA’s stance during his time as Johannesburg mayor.

“They did not really want me to provide services to poor black communities,” he said.

Mashaba added that this tension ultimately led to ActionSA’s creation, positioning the party as a credible alternative ahead of the 2026 local government elections.

{Source: IOL}

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