ActionSA president Herman Mashaba has proposed a political compromise that would see both him and Democratic Alliance (DA) mayoral candidate Helen Zille step aside to make way for coalition negotiations in Johannesburg.
In a letter dated 7 November and addressed to DA federal leader Geordin Hill-Lewis, Mashaba suggested that both candidates withdraw from the Johannesburg mayoral race, allowing the DA to nominate an alternative candidate who could receive ActionSA’s support.
Under the proposed arrangement, the DA would retain the Johannesburg mayoral chain, while ActionSA would take the deputy mayor position. The remaining details of a possible coalition agreement would then be negotiated between the two parties.
Mashaba said the relationship between himself and Zille had become increasingly strained, making it difficult to imagine working together in the same political administration.
Mashaba cites deteriorating relationship with Zille
Explaining his proposal, Mashaba reportedly said the hostility between him and Zille had reached a point where he felt unable to work in an environment in which he believed someone wanted to undermine him.
He said both politicians should put their differences aside in the interests of the country and allow other representatives to lead the negotiations.
“I said that, for the sake of the country, let Helen and me step back and allow other teams to step in,” Mashaba said.
The proposal effectively seeks to remove the personal tensions between the two political figures from the coalition discussions while allowing their respective parties to negotiate a working arrangement.
ActionSA proposes a different arrangement for Tshwane
Mashaba’s proposal also addresses the political situation in Tshwane, where ActionSA wants its mayoral candidate, Dr Nasiphi Moya, to remain in office.
Under the suggested arrangement, DA mayoral candidate Cilliers Brink would resign his council seat, while the DA would nominate a deputy mayoral candidate acceptable to ActionSA.
In exchange, the DA would support Moya’s continued position as mayor of Tshwane.
The proposal would therefore give ActionSA the mayoral position in Tshwane while offering the DA a role in the city’s administration through the deputy mayor’s office.
Mashaba proposes that DA take control of Ekurhuleni
The ActionSA leader also proposed that the DA take Ekurhuleni as part of a broader political arrangement involving the three major Gauteng metros.
The proposed distribution would see the DA retain the mayoral position in Johannesburg, ActionSA continue leading Tshwane, and the DA take Ekurhuleni.
However, these are proposals presented by Mashaba, and the source does not indicate that the DA has accepted the suggested terms.
Election results shape coalition negotiations
The latest voting figures provide important context for the negotiations.
In Johannesburg, the DA secured the largest share of the vote at 34.79%, followed by the ANC with 20.25%. ActionSA finished third with 16.27%.
Tshwane produced a similarly competitive result, with the DA receiving 34.37%, ActionSA securing 22.07% and the ANC obtaining 20.22%.
These results place the DA and ActionSA in significant positions as parties consider possible governing arrangements in Gauteng’s metropolitan municipalities.
ActionSA chairperson Michael Beaumont confirmed that a letter had been sent to the DA leader.
Mashaba’s proposal now places the focus on whether the two parties can find common ground despite their leadership tensions and competing political interests.
