Mashaba Weighs Joburg Comeback as ActionSA Bets on Khumalo in Ekurhuleni

The political chessboard in Gauteng is shifting again, and all eyes are on whether Herman Mashaba will return to reclaim the mayoral chains in Johannesburg. The former mayor and ActionSA leader says he’s not putting himself forward just yet, but he hasn’t ruled it out either.

For now, the party has thrown its weight behind TV personality turned activist Xolani Khumalo, announcing him as their candidate for Ekurhuleni. The move has ignited both excitement and debate as the local government election race heats up.

Will Mashaba Face Off With Helen Zille?

The burning question is whether Mashaba will go head-to-head with DA heavyweight Helen Zille in Johannesburg. It would be no ordinary contest. Mashaba left the DA after a messy fallout, and political analysts believe his return could set the stage for one of Joburg’s most bitterly contested mayoral battles in years.

Mashaba, 66, insists he still has the stamina for the job:

“I’m as active as when I was 22, when I started my business career.”

But he stresses he’ll only step in if ActionSA can’t find a Joburg candidate who matches the calibre of Khumalo in Ekurhuleni or Nasiphi Moya in Tshwane.

Khumalo Steps Into Politics

Xolani Khumalo, better known for his anti-crime activism, is now venturing into the cutthroat world of local politics. His message is direct: South Africa’s problems are the result of career politicians who have failed the people.

“I’m not coming in as a politician, but a patriot,” Khumalo told supporters, laying out a plan that promises to restore law and order, tackle drugs, fight corruption, and revive service delivery in Ekurhuleni.

His critics, however, are less convinced. Political analyst Piet Croucamp described Khumalo as “controversial” and warned that his views on immigration echo those of Kenny Kunene and Gayton McKenzie, both known for their hardline rhetoric.

ActionSA’s Gauteng Gamble

For ActionSA, Gauteng’s three metros, Johannesburg, Tshwane, and Ekurhuleni are the crown jewels. Mashaba argues that his short tenure in Johannesburg showed what the party could do with a full five-year mandate. He points to Tshwane’s recent R16 billion investment boom under Moya as evidence that ActionSA can deliver tangible results.

“Imagine what we could do with five full years,” he said, urging voters to give the party a proper mandate.

Analysts Urge Voters to Look Beyond Personalities

Not everyone is convinced by ActionSA’s “big names” strategy. Political analyst Daniel Silke cautioned that celebrity status doesn’t always translate into good governance:

“The star attraction of a candidate is not indicative of their specific abilities in managing the complexities of a large metro.”

Dr Rene Oosthuizen added that Mashaba’s focus on headline-making announcements could mask deeper questions about the party’s policy clarity.

ANC Still Quiet on Joburg Candidate

Meanwhile, the ANC has yet to show its hand in Johannesburg. Secretary-general Fikile Mbalula recently admitted the party isn’t ready to announce a mayoral candidate, leaving current mayor Dada Morero in limbo. Insiders say the party’s upcoming regional conference will be decisive, with Morero likely facing a challenge from finance MMC Loyiso Masuku.

For ordinary Joburgers and Ekurhuleni residents, the drama around mayoral candidates is more than political theatre. Service delivery backlogs, corruption scandals, and crumbling infrastructure dominate daily life. Whether it’s Mashaba, Zille, Khumalo, or an ANC pick, the stakes could not be higher.

The question that will define the election: Can any of these candidates turn Gauteng’s struggling metros around, or will voters see more of the same?

{Source: The Citizen}

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