Herman Mashaba Elected ActionSA Mayoral Candidate for Joburg, Promises to Fight for City’s Future
- ActionSA has officially elected its mayoral candidate for Johannesburg ahead of the 2026 Local Government Elections
- Herman Mashaba was previously the Executive Mayor of Johannesburg from 22 August 2016 to 27 November 2019
- The ActionSA president emphasised what needed to change in order for the City of Gold to return to its former glory
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Byron Pillay, a Briefly News journalist, 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 – Herman Mashaba has been elected as ActionSA’s mayoral candidate for the City of Johannesburg.
Mashaba, who served as the Executive Mayor of Johannesburg from 22 August 2016 to 27 November 2019, was announced as the mayoral candidate on 21 February 2026 in Soweto. The ActionSA put his name in the hat to be the candidate, citing his previous successes as mayor.
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Johannesburg is in a fight for its future
During his speech after being announced as the mayoral candidate, Mashaba said Johannesburg was in a fight for its future. The ActionSA president said he was stepping back in the ring because the city needs a fighter who knows how to win.
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Mashaba said that the fight would be against corruption, incompetence, lawlessness, and the decline of the city.
"We are here to declare war” he emphatically stated.
Mashaba continued that his campaign would be one of action and delivery, saying that for South African to win, Johannesburg needed to work.
“This city is not broken beyond repair, but it’s only through action that it can be fixed,” Mashaba said.
South Africans divided by ActionSA’s mayoral candidate
Social media users weighed in on Mashaba being elected as the mayoral candidate, sharing mixed reactions to it. Some noted that he would be going up against the Democratic Alliance’s Helen Zille, while others questioned why a party leader was the mayoral candidate.
Joseph Lucky Khumalo said:
“Between Helen and Herman, I'll choose Herman.”
Terrie Moyo noted:
“This Joburg has got honey and milk. Each and every politician is drooling over it.”
Kgabo Phillemon stated:
“Herman Mashaba nominated himself for the position. Talking about taking a second bite of the cherry.”
Marco Markrug Kruger added:
“No surprise here — this was the strategy all along… He will do a good job.”
Haniff Hoosen claimed:
“Poor guy. Helen is going to have him for breakfast, lunch and supper.”
Farai Enerst Mundoko asked:
“This one is power hungry. How can a party leader contest to be a mayor?”
ISanuse Semimoya Yamazwe agreed:
“How does a party leader become a mayoral candidate. This Mashaba is hungry, serious.”
Portia Ndlovu said:
“Herman Mashaba will save us from this mess.”
Mashaba slams Joburg’s plan to deal with hijacked buildings
Briefly News reported that Mashaba criticised the City of Johannesburg’s plan to negotiate with occupants of hijacked buildings.
The ActionSA leader argued that the city's proposal was impractical and unlikely to succeed.
The proposal sparked mixed reactions online, as the city intensifies raids on hijacked buildings.
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Source: Briefly News
