ActionSA's Herman Mashaba Skeptical of Mmusi Maimane's Job Creation Promises as Elections Approach

With South Africa's seventh democratic elections looming on the 29th of May, the political landscape sees established and emerging parties gearing up for a decisive contest. Herman Mashaba, president of ActionSA, is a key figure to watch as he leads his 'actioners' — as the party's followers are known — into their first national and provincial showdown.

In a recent episode of the politics podcast 'Politricking with Tshidi Madia', Mashaba, a former Mayor of Johannesburg, discusses his outlook on the upcoming elections and the strategy of his party. Remembering their impressive breakout during the 2021 local government elections, which resulted in co-governing statuses in municipalities like Tshwane with the Democratic Alliance (DA), he is direct and pragmatic in assessing his competitors.

Of particular interest are his comments directed towards his former comrade and DA federal leader, Mmusi Maimane, who has taken a bold stance in promising to create two million jobs. Mashaba regards such a claim with skepticism, acknowledging the enormity of the undertaking and the characteristics required of a political entity to achieve such a goal.

Guessing the potential he has to overcome, Mashaba avoids 'stadiumology', the psychological battle employed by political parties to flex public support, and instead remains fixed on his party's vision. His belief in practical politics over grandiose rallies reflects his party's commitment to tangible social issues, contrasting with the enticing yet often ephemeral promise of job creation.

Mashaba delves deep into the essence of his party's campaign, pointing out that ActionSA's focus remains dedicated to South African welfare, consciously choosing to prioritize local issues over international controversies. His comments on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict further cement this stance, underlining his ethos of domestic prioritization while earnestly hoping for a peaceful resolution.

The regional influence of ActionSA, particularly in areas like Soweto, has left observers within the African National Congress (ANC) wary of the potential impact the burgeoning party could have on their vote shares. Yet, criticism has not spared Mashaba either, mostly linked to his pointed views on migration. Nonetheless, Mashaba stands by his assertions and political philosophies, maintaining a discourse that resonates with his party’s ethos of Action and Solutions for South Africa.

Mashaba's ambitions for ActionSA go beyond achieving a mere parliamentary presence. He explicitly mentions his dissatisfaction with the notion of emerging as the third-biggest party, reflecting his aspiration for a more significant role in government, whether executive or otherwise.

Looking forward, ActionSA's intention is clear — contest every ward in the subsequent local government elections with Mashaba at the helm, rather than relegated to a seat in the opposition benches. The commitment to expand is evident, and the 2026 elections are already in sight as a future milestone.

Amidst such political dynamics, Mashaba confidently voices uncertainty about his personal political future, especially relating to a seat in Parliament. His heart lies with proactive governance and direct engagement with communities — goals that he envisions achieving without the constraint of traditional political roles.

Unwavering in his duty to South Africa, Mashaba navigates through the muddy waters of political claims, promises, and expectations, with his intentions for ActionSA and the nation firmly affixed to the realm of action and outcomes.