ActionSA crosses one million votes for first time in its six-year history

  • The party's election performance is expected to strengthen its hand in coalition negotiations and municipal governance discussions.
  • Mashaba said he is open to engaging all political parties on potential post-election coalitions.
  • If elected Johannesburg mayor, Mashaba said his immediate focus would be economic revival, assessing the city's finances, and tabling a funded budget by the end of February.

ActionSA has surpassed the 1-million vote mark for the first time in its six-year existence, as counting continues in the 2026 local government elections.

Speaking to Sunday world at the Electoral Commission’s (IEC) Results Operation Centre (ROC) in Midrand, party spokesperson Matthew George described the milestone as an important achievement for the party, which contested in fewer than a third of municipalities in the country.

Among others, ActionSA is contesting for Johannesburg with Herman Mashaba as the mayoral candidate, Ekurhuleni with anti-drug activist Xolani Khumalo as mayoral candidate, and Nasiphi Moya running for mayor of Tshwane.

READ: Mashaba ‘willing to talk with everyone’ about coalitions, as ActionSA gains ground in Gauteng

Glass in the air for ActionSA’s growth

“We are deeply encouraged by the results that have come in thus far, for a party that is six-years-old we have now become one of the biggest political parties in the country having secured 1 million votes and counting at this stage,” said George.

He said while Gauteng showed immense growth, the party keeps growing across the country particularly the Western Cape, North West and Limpopo, noting that these are the first local government elections where the party has deployed councilors in all provinces.

Coalition talks on the horizon

The party, founded in 2020 by Herman Mashaba, has positioned itself as an alternative to established political parties, with its performance in the local government elections likely to shape its prospects in municipal governance and coalition negotiations.

Mashaba expressed confidence in ActionSA’s electoral gains in Gauteng on Thursday and stated he is open to talking to all parties regarding post-election coalitions. He also highlighted that as mayor of Johannesburg, he would prioritise the push for economic revival.

Speaking to Sunday World, Mashaba said his immediate priority would be to establish the true financial position of the municipality and present a funded budget to council by the end of February.

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  • ActionSA surpassed 1 million votes for the first time in the 2026 local government elections, contesting in fewer than a third of municipalities.
  • The party is running mayoral candidates Herman Mashaba in Johannesburg, Xolani Khumalo in Ekurhuleni, and Nasiphi Moya in Tshwane.
  • ActionSA national chairperson Michael Beaumont stated the party is open to coalition negotiations with other political parties under specific agreements and conditions.
  • The party has deployed councilors in all provinces for the first time and has shown notable growth in Gauteng, Western Cape, North West, and Limpopo.
  • Herman Mashaba emphasized his priority as Johannesburg mayor would be to determine the municipality's financial position and deliver a funded budget by the end of February.
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ActionSA has surpassed the 1-million vote mark for the first time in its six-year existence, as counting continues in the 2026 local government elections.

Speaking to Sunday world at the Electoral Commission’s (IEC) Results Operation Centre (ROC) in Midrand, party spokesperson Matthew George described the milestone as an important achievement for the party, which contested in fewer than a third of municipalities in the country.

Among others, ActionSA is contesting for Johannesburg with Herman Mashaba as the mayoral candidate, Ekurhuleni with anti-drug activist Xolani Khumalo as mayoral candidate, and Nasiphi Moya running for mayor of Tshwane.

READ: Mashaba 'willing to talk with everyone' about coalitions, as ActionSA gains ground in Gauteng

“We are deeply encouraged by the results that have come in thus far, for a party that is six-years-old we have now become one of the biggest political parties in the country having secured 1 million votes and counting at this stage,” said George.

He said while Gauteng showed immense growth, the party keeps growing across the country particularly the Western Cape, North West and Limpopo, noting that these are the first local government elections where the party has deployed councilors in all provinces.

The party, founded in 2020 by Herman Mashaba, has positioned itself as an alternative to established political parties, with its performance in the local government elections likely to shape its prospects in municipal governance and coalition negotiations.

Mashaba expressed confidence in ActionSA's electoral gains in Gauteng on Thursday and stated he is open to talking to all parties regarding post-election coalitions. He also highlighted that as mayor of Johannesburg, he would prioritise the push for economic revival.

Speaking to Sunday World, Mashaba said his immediate priority would be to establish the true financial position of the municipality and present a funded budget to council by the end of February.

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