ActionSA has thrown Johannesburg’s mayoral race wide open, inviting applications for a candidate ahead of the 2026 local government elections. Political analysts are divided: some see it as a bold move to attract fresh talent from outside politics, while others warn it may ultimately lead to the return of party leader Herman Mashaba to contest Helen Zille in a high-stakes showdown for the city’s top job.
Party National Chairperson Michael Beaumont said ActionSA’s Senate met on Friday and resolved to open applications for a Johannesburg mayoral candidate. He explained that the decision follows an extensive review of the city’s worsening state, marked by collapsing service delivery, failing infrastructure, and a sharp decline in public confidence since Mashaba’s exit as mayor.
“It was at Mashaba’s request that an open nomination process be pursued to ensure that the party considers all possible options for a credible candidate to lead Johannesburg.”
He added that nominations will close at the end of November 2025.
Beaumont added that while many have urged Mashaba to return as ActionSA’s Johannesburg mayoral candidate, the party leader has opted to take time to reflect before making a decision.
He emphasised that Mashaba’s stance is in line with the party’s commitment to a fair and open process, one that evaluates all strong contenders and avoids what Beaumont called “a coronation.”
Beaumont said that the nomination process comes at a critical moment for Johannesburg residents.
“Johannesburg residents who face the invidious choice between a failed ANC Mayor and a DA candidate whose record in government depended on where one lived and took place 1500km away, two decades ago. Under these circumstances, there could be no more important time to offer Johannesburg residents a proven and credible alternative capable of fixing the city,” he said.
Political analyst Sandile Sewana said ActionSA enters the 2026 mayoral race with significant political capital in Johannesburg, much of it built during Mashaba’s tenure.
“Mashaba created a brand of competence and high performance for ActionSA, and it is only proper that the selection of a mayoral candidate be competitive, with credentials carefully examined and the candidate’s ability to attract votes fully assessed,” he noted,
Sewana added that ActionSA’s goal is clear: to present a credible alternative to the DA.
“Dada Morero has not demonstrated the competence or performance required to lead, which leaves Helen Zille as the only DA figure potentially capable of taking her place,” he said.
He further criticised Zille’s political manoeuvres, claiming she has “been instrumental behind the scenes in sabotaging Mpho Phalatse and Mashaba, destabilising the city, and at times colluding with the ANC in ways that undermined Johannesburg’s governance.”
Sewana highlighted the magnitude of the challenge facing ActionSA in Johannesburg, suggesting the party may ultimately have to field Mashaba himself.
“ActionSA sees this as a very serious challenge, and it is quite likely that they might end up having to field Herman Mashaba to contest Helen Zille,” he said.
He also emphasised the significance of the position, noting, “If you consider that the budget of the City of Johannesburg is higher than that of several provinces, I checked, it’s definitely higher than the Northwest Province, being mayor here is not a small role. In terms of budget and responsibility, it could compete with leadership positions in a number of African countries.”
Kenneth Kgwadi, a political analyst and research fellow at the Middle East Africa Research Institute (MEARI), said ActionSA’s open mayoral application process is designed to attract talent from outside the traditional political space.
“It’ll obviously be to attract people outside the political space to the possibility of being a political head of the municipality,” he explained.
Kgwadi framed the move as a direct critique of current leadership, describing it as “a vote of no confidence to the current political leadership. We know that the country’s municipalities are in disarray due to poor leadership.”
He warned that many capable and educated leaders have exited politics, especially after Thabo Mbeki was removed, leaving “mafias and cartels running the show.
“I doubt if those who are supposed to lead will show interest as they are avoiding toxicity. You have these mafias killing critics and others bribed to enable corruption. Many of those with conscience will not consider such an offer,” he said.
Kgwadi highlighted the potential ripple effect of ActionSA’s approach on other political parties, noting that it could push them to seek talent beyond their usual ranks and focus on competent leadership.
“The ANC has this sort of policy where they invite or include the community to select the candidate, it includes people with no membership cards. But the factions within the ANC made sure that such a policy becomes a failure like many good policies of the ANC.
“The DA does it by means of having any citizen who believes they qualify to apply for a public office. This will put necessary pressure on other parties to start looking outside their party boundaries, to look for real talent rather than furnishing the public with people with no clue about good governance,” he added.
The Star
masabata.mkwananzi@inl.co.za