ActionSA Questions Nobuhle Mthembu’s Timing of Sudden Resignation, South Africans Have Suggestions
- Nobuhle Mthembu announced that she was parting ways with ActionSA, citing the party's internal dynamics as a problem
- ActionSA has since responded to the former Speaker of the City of Johannesburg council's claims about the party
- South Africans weighed in on the departure, offering suggestions as to why Mthembu walked away from the party
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Briefly News journalist Byron Pillay has dedicated a decade to reporting on the South African political landscape, crime, and social issues. He spent 10 years working for the Northern Natal Courier before transitioning to online journalism.
GAUTENG - ActionSA has questioned Nobuhle Mthembu’s sudden resignation from the party.
Mthembu, the former regional leader of the party in Johannesburg, resigned from the party with immediate effect on 8 August 2025. The former Speaker of the City of Johannesburg council said that her decision was driven by internal dynamics within the organisation.
What did ActionSA say about her departure?
In an official statement, the party questioned the timing of her departure, noting that it came not long after she was removed as City of Joburg council speaker.
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While ActionSA wished her well in her future endeavours, the party said that it suspects her resignation signals a move to another political party.
Mthembu said she was leaving politics to focus on her non-governmental organisation (NGO), something ActionSA doesn’t believe.
Why did Mthembu resign?
In an official letter, which she also shared on X (formerly Twitter), Mthembu said that she was not happy with the party’s decision-making processes. She also criticised what she described as a lack of internal democracy within ActionSA.
"I have come to realise that the party's internal dynamics and decision-making processes no longer align with my values or the interests of the constituency I represent,” she said.
She explained that as a result, effective immediately, it was in the best interest of her and the constituency she represented that she part ways with the party.
Mthembu removed as City of Johannesburg speaker
Her resignation comes less than two months after she was removed as the City of Johannesburg Council Speaker through a motion of no confidence.
The Democratic Alliance brought forward a motion against the city's mayor, Dada Morero, and while ActionSA didn’t support the move against the African National Congress (ANC) member, they also didn’t vote against it. The ANC and ActionSA were working together in Johannesburg.
In retaliation, the ANC voted against Mthembu in Al Jama-ah’s motion of no confidence against her. ActionSA claimed that Mthembu wanted it to vote in favour of Morero’s leadership to safeguard her position and is upset because it didn’t.
How did South Africans react?
Social media users are divided by the news, with some supporting the former speaker and others defending the party.
Teboho Metsing stated:
“The answer is simple; they were being used.”
Octavius Masooa agreed:
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“She was only there for that position. Parties recruit members promising them positions.”
Hamilton Cawuke asked:
“Is it a problem if she is going to join another political party?”
Hendry Elliot Ngubonde said:
“That should not come as a shock to ActionSA. My wife also divorced me after I lost my job. That is normal in South African politics; no benefit means no favour. I suspect the former speaker is preparing her comeback on the DA's ticket, since Zille is going to mop the floor next year.”
Abram Christiaan stated:
“Action SA is a joke. No action there at all🤣.”
Nicky Oosthuizen claimed:
“Nobuhle, it is a very good move. ActionSA flip-floppers is a dying party.”
Gershin Boesak defended her:
“Nobuhle Mthembu was never after a position. While she was the speaker, she was always on the ground serving the people of the city.”
Otshepeng Tshepi Martins suggested:
“She must've been threatened or promised something better.”
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Source: Briefly News
