Herman Mashaba emerges as frontrunner for ActionSA’s Johannesburg mayoral bid

Herman Mashaba leads ActionSA’s mayoral race in Johannesburg

Johannesburg’s mayoral race is heating up, and ActionSA appears to have a familiar face at the front of the pack. Party leader Herman Mashaba is widely regarded as the frontrunner among five senior leaders in contention for the party’s Johannesburg mayoral candidacy ahead of the 2026 local government elections.

The Central Candidate Selection Committee (CSC) is set to finalise its decision this Monday, with the official announcement expected on Saturday, 21 February 2026. Alongside Mashaba, other candidates include Michael Beaumont, Lerato Ngobeni, Dereleen James MP, and Funzi Ngobeni.

A rigorous selection process

ActionSA has taken a meticulous approach to choosing a candidate capable of tackling Johannesburg’s complex challenges. According to National Chairperson Michael Beaumont, the party has engaged extensively with its structures, assessing candidates’ abilities to address the city’s ongoing service delivery crisis.

“Candidates have submitted detailed turnaround plans, undergone security vetting, and are participating in the interview phase before final deliberations,” Beaumont explained.

The selection process reflects ActionSA’s intent to find a leader with both vision and execution capacity, particularly someone who can navigate coalition politics in South Africa’s economic powerhouse.

Johannesburg’s service delivery collapse

Beaumont emphasised the gravity of the situation the next mayor will inherit. Over the past few years, the city has faced a revolving door of leadership and what he described as “total collapse of service delivery” under mayors from the **ANC, DA, and smaller parties alike.” Residents have endured erratic water supply, frequent electricity outages, and slow municipal responses, leaving communities frustrated and wary of political promises.

ActionSA is clear that whoever is chosen will need a proven track record of delivery, a description that positions Mashaba strongly given his history in the City of Tshwane and the party’s Ekurhuleni successes.

Mashaba’s potential candidacy

Mashaba, who has previously indicated willingness to contest the Johannesburg position, said last year that he would step in if no candidate met the party’s standards for leadership. His statement underscores ActionSA’s focus on competence over convenience, ensuring that the party presents a credible alternative to the status quo.

Public reactions on social media suggest mixed enthusiasm: many Johannesburg residents welcome the prospect of Mashaba returning to city politics, citing his reputation for decisive action, while some critics question whether one leader can navigate a fractured coalition in a city with entrenched political rivalries.

The stakes for Johannesburg

ActionSA’s upcoming announcement is more than a party formality; it signals the party’s readiness to challenge the ongoing mismanagement of South Africa’s largest city. The selected candidate will not only need to implement infrastructure and service delivery improvements but also build trust with citizens tired of political stagnation.

Beaumont concluded, “The CSC will put forward a candidate capable of offering Johannesburg residents a real alternative, someone who can restore confidence, stabilize services, and lead the city out of years of dysfunction.”

With the launch set for 21 February, all eyes in Johannesburg will be on ActionSA’s next move, as the city waits to see who will be entrusted with leading the economic heart of South Africa.

{Source: IOL}

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