ActionSA#Formation

On 29 August 2020, a former Mayor of Johannesburg, Herman Mashaba, announced that he had started a new political party, which would be known as ActionSA and was intending to run for the three Gauteng metro cities (Johannesburg, Ekurhuleni and Tshwane) in the 2021 local government elections.{{Cite web|last=Tandwa|first=Lizeka|title=Mashaba launches new political party, ropes in former ANC leaders|url=https://www.news24.com/news24/southafrica/news/mashaba-launches-new-political-party-ropes-in-former-anc-leaders-20200829|access-date=2020-12-14|website=News24|language=en-US}} The party soon gained notoriety as it brought together former politicians who were dissatisfied with big parties such as the DA and ANC. Makhosi Khoza, Vytjie Mentor and David Tembe were amongst the former ANC politicians who joined the newly formed ActionSA. On 5 October 2020, former DA provincial leader, John Moodey, announced that he had joined ActionSA.{{Cite web|title=Former DA Gauteng leader John Moodey joins Mashaba's ActionSA|url=https://www.businesslive.co.za/bd/politics/2020-10-05-former-da-gauteng-leader-john-moodey-joins-mashabas-actionsa/|access-date=2020-12-14|website=BusinessLIVE|language=en-ZA}}{{Cite web|title=DA JHB youth chair and councillor joins Action SA|url=https://www.polity.org.za/article/da-jhb-youth-chair-and-councillor-joins-action-sa-2020-11-03|access-date=2020-12-14|website=www.polity.org.za|language=en}} Soon, thereafter, he was followed by numerous former DA councillors, along with leaders like Abel Tau, Funzi Ngobeni and former DA Johannesburg youth leader, Lincoln Machaba.{{Cite web|last=Tandwa|first=Lizeka|title=Another one bites the dust – DA JHB youth leader and councillor joins Action SA|url=https://www.news24.com/news24/southafrica/news/another-one-bites-the-dust-da-jhb-youth-chair-and-councillor-joins-action-sa-20201103|access-date=2020-12-14|website=News24|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|title=DA Tshwane leader jumps ship to join Herman Mashaba's new party|url=https://www.timeslive.co.za/politics/2020-07-30-da-tshwane-leader-jumps-ship-to-join-herman-mashabas-new-party/|access-date=2020-12-14|website=TimesLIVE|language=en-ZA}}

Noting how many of its leaders came from the DA, the party's inaugural spokesperson said that "the party was not formed as part of a detraction for the DA, but the need to create an alternative towards a shared future."{{Cite web|title=DA's John Steenhuisen lashes out at splinter parties after Mashaba launches Action SA|url=https://citizen.co.za/news/south-africa/politics/2351562/das-john-steenhuisen-lashes-out-at-splinter-parties-after-mashaba-launches-action-sa/|access-date=2020-12-14|website=The Citizen|date=29 August 2020 |language=en}}

The party was quickly criticised by then newly elected leader of the DA, John Steenhuisen, who noted that every time a voter supports a small party like ActionSA, "the net result is the strengthening of the ANC. We've been through this scenario so many times. As soon as the elections are over, voters who tested the waters with one of these new start-ups realise they got zero bang for their buck from a one-man party with a regional footprint, and they return to the DA. But by then the damage is done for the next five years." Steenhuisen's critique was not at these party's policies but rather that they are "too small" to impart any change.{{Cite web|last=Smith|first=Ryan|date=2020-12-01|title=OPINIONISTA: Herman Mashaba's ActionSA is EFF-lite in disguise|url=https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/opinionista/2020-12-01-herman-mashabas-actionsa-is-eff-lite-in-disguise/|access-date=2020-12-14|website=Daily Maverick|language=en}} This criticism was followed by Steenhuisen's chief-of-staff's opinion piece which labelled ActionSA as "EFF-lite in disguise."{{Cite web|date=2020-12-03|title=Dear John, from John|url=https://www.actionsa.org.za/dear-john-from-john/|access-date=2020-12-14|website=ActionSA|language=en-ZA}} In an open letter to Steenhuisen, Moodey criticised this opinion piece and what he called the DA's "race denialism" and defended ActionSA's vision and its leaders' reasons for leaving the DA. Moodey claimed that "Herman left the DA because it gave up on the project of being a serious political party that could challenge and unseat the ANC."{{Cite web|first=Aphiwe |last=Deklerk|title=IEC rejects Herman Mashaba's bid to register his new party Action SA|url=https://www.timeslive.co.za/politics/2020-09-29-iec-rejects-herman-mashabas-bid-to-register-his-new-party-action-sa/|access-date=2020-12-14|website=TimesLIVE|language=en-ZA}}

A month after the party was launched, the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) rejected the party's application to register itself as an official political party.{{Cite web|last=Kubheka|first=Thando|title=IEC rejects Action SA's appeal to be registered as political party|url=https://ewn.co.za/2020/11/10/iec-rejects-action-sa-s-appeal-to-be-registered-as-political-party|access-date=2020-12-14|website=ewn.co.za|language=en}} This was due to another party, Party of Action, claiming that ActionSA had stolen its logo. On this claim, Mashaba noted that "[t]he IEC’s decision is based on a perceived similarity with another political party and the use of the SA flag in our logo. We have already written to the IEC, initiating our right to appeal their decision as a result of its incorrect application of the law. We regard the IEC to have acted irrationally in their decision. We submit that our identifying features remain sufficiently different from the Party of Action (POA), a political party that has never contested elections before despite registering."

The party's appeal was again rejected by the IEC on the same basis.{{Cite web|date=2020-11-10|title=Action SA's appeal to register as a political party rejected|url=https://www.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/action-sas-appeal-to-register-as-a-political-party-rejected/|access-date=2020-12-14|website=SABC News - Breaking news, special reports, world, business, sport coverage of all South African current events. Africa's news leader.|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|last=Tandwa|first=Lizeka|title=Herman Mashaba takes aim at IEC after Action SA loses appeal over party status|url=https://www.news24.com/news24/southafrica/news/herman-mashaba-takes-aim-at-iec-after-action-sa-loses-appeal-over-party-status-20201110|access-date=2020-12-14|website=News24|language=en-US}}

On 13 December 2020, the party was officially registered with the IEC, notably under a new logo.{{Cite web|title=Herman Mashaba's ActionSA is finally a registered political party|url=https://www.businesslive.co.za/bd/politics/2020-12-13-herman-mashabas-actionsa-is-finally-a-registered-political-party/|access-date=2020-12-14|website=BusinessLIVE|language=en-ZA}}{{Cite web|last=Hlatshaneni|first=Simnikiwe|title=It's official: Mashaba's ActionSA is registered with IEC|url=https://citizen.co.za/news/2359499/its-official-mashabas-actionsa-is-registered-with-iec/|access-date=2020-12-14|website=The Citizen|date=17 September 2020 |language=en}}{{Cite web|title=The Era of Action is Upon Us|url=https://www.actionsa.org.za/|access-date=2020-12-14|website=ActionSA|language=en-ZA}}

According to the party's website, the party has seven core values:{{Cite web|date=2020-09-16|title=ActionSA – Climate Change Blueprint|url=https://www.actionsa.org.za/climate-change/|access-date=2020-12-14|website=ActionSA|language=en-ZA}}

• Electoral reform (Direct democracy)
• Economic prosperity
• Non-racialism
• Quality education
• Social justice
• Ethical leadership
• Rule of law

The party's current main policies focus on what it calls the solution blueprints on:

• Climate change and the environment{{Cite web|date=2020-09-16|title=ActionSA – Electoral Reform Blueprint|url=https://www.actionsa.org.za/electoral-reform/|access-date=2020-12-14|website=ActionSA|language=en-ZA}}
• Electoral reform{{Cite web|date=2020-09-16|title=ActionSA – Professional Public Service Blueprint|url=https://www.actionsa.org.za/professional-public-service/|access-date=2020-12-14|website=ActionSA|language=en-ZA}}
• Professional public service{{Cite web|date=2020-09-16|title=ActionSA – Ethical Leadership Blueprint|url=https://www.actionsa.org.za/ethical-leadership/|access-date=2020-12-14|website=ActionSA|language=en-ZA}}
• Ethical leadership{{Cite web|date=2020-09-16|title=ActionSA – Rule of Law Blueprint|url=https://www.actionsa.org.za/rule-of-law/|access-date=2020-12-14|website=ActionSA|language=en-ZA}}
• Immigration
• Rule of law{{Cite web|date=2020-09-16|title=ActionSA – Land Reform and Housing Blueprint|url=https://www.actionsa.org.za/land-reform-and-housing/|access-date=2020-12-14|website=ActionSA|language=en-ZA}}
• Land reform and housing{{Cite web|date=2020-09-16|title=ActionSA – Quality Education Blueprint|url=https://www.actionsa.org.za/quality-education/|access-date=2020-12-14|website=ActionSA|language=en-ZA}}
• Quality education{{Cite web|date=2020-09-16|title=ActionSA – Social Justice Blueprint|url=https://www.actionsa.org.za/social-justice/|access-date=2020-12-14|website=ActionSA|language=en-ZA}}
• Social justice{{Cite web|date=2020-09-16|title=ActionSA – Non-racialism Blueprint|url=https://www.actionsa.org.za/non-racialism/|access-date=2020-12-14|website=ActionSA|language=en-ZA}}
• Non-racialism{{Cite web|date=2020-09-16|title=ActionSA – Economic Prosperity Blueprint|url=https://www.actionsa.org.za/economic-prosperity/|access-date=2020-12-14|website=ActionSA|language=en-ZA}}
• Economic prosperity

The party also has made strong calls for tougher immigration policy, and the party's leader, Herman Mashaba, has made various statements about immigrants that some observers have criticised as xenophobic.{{Cite web |date=28 April 2022 |title=Analysis: Who is behind South Africa's xenophobic nationalism? |url=https://amabhungane.org/stories/220428-who-is-behind-south-africas-xenophobic-nationalism/ |website=amaBhungane}} However, during the party's 2024 election campaign, the party condemned xenophobia and called for simplifying legal immigration to South Africa, particularly for skilled workers.{{Cite news|work=Financial Times|title=South African election turns populist as parties play anti-foreigner card|date=31 March 2024|url=https://www.ft.com/content/fab05c4c-27ea-49a5-8750-7649e6b08fd9}}

In January 2025, the party merged with Forum 4 Service Delivery (F4SD), and plans to contest the 2026 local government elections under the ActionSA banner.{{Cite web |last=Gerber |first=Jan |title='Positive politics': ActionSA to join forces with Forum 4 Service Delivery for 2026 local govt polls |url=https://www.news24.com/news24/politics/political-parties/positive-politics-actionsa-to-join-forces-with-forum-4-service-delivery-for-2026-local-govt-polls-20250115 |access-date=2025-01-15 |website=News24 |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Ramushwana |first=Alpha |title=ActionSA merges with Forum 4 Service Delivery |url=https://www.ewn.co.za/2025/01/15/actionsa-merges-with-forum-4-service-delivery |access-date=2025-01-15 |website=EWN |language=en}} F4SD leader Mbahare Kekana was appointed Deputy President of ActionSA.{{Cite web |last=Ramushwana |first=Alpha |title=After Forum 4 Service Delivery's merger with ActionSA, Mbahare Kekana named deputy president |url=https://www.ewn.co.za/2025/01/15/after-forum-4-service-deliverys-merger-with-actionsa-mbahare-kekana-named-deputy-president |access-date=2025-01-15 |website=EWN |language=en}}

In 2024, the party contested its first national and provincial elections{{Cite web |first=Sisanda |last=Mbolekwa |title=ActionSA, Rise Mzansi submit required signatures, deposits to IEC for May 29 election |url=https://www.timeslive.co.za/politics/2024-03-06-actionsa-rise-mzansi-submit-required-signatures-deposits-to-iec-for-may-29-election/ |access-date=2024-04-05 |website=TimesLIVE |language=en-ZA}} in South Africa.

{{election table}}

|-

! Election

! Party leader

! Total votes

! Share of vote

! Seats

! +/–

! Government

|-

! 2024

| Herman Mashaba

| 192,373

| 1.20%{{efn|From 2024, seats in the National Assembly are determined by a combination of the national ballot, and the nine regional ballots. Only the national ballot figures are shown here.}}

| {{Composition bar|6|400|hex={{party color|ActionSA}}}}

| {{increase}} 6

| {{no2|in opposition}}

|}

{{Notelist}}

{{election table}}

|-

! Election

! Total # of
seats won

! +/–

! Government

|-

! 2024

| {{Composition bar|1|90|hex={{party color|ActionSA}}}}

| {{increase}} 1

| {{no2|in opposition}}

|}

{{election table}}

! rowspan=2 | Election{{Cite web |url=https://www.elections.org.za/NPEDashboard/app/dashboard.html |title=Results Dashboard| website=www.elections.org.za |access-date=11 May 2019}}

! colspan=2 | Eastern Cape

! colspan=2 | Free State

! colspan=2 | Gauteng

! colspan=2 | Kwazulu-Natal

! colspan=2 | Limpopo

! colspan=2 | Mpumalanga

! colspan=2 | North-West

! colspan=2 | Northern Cape

! colspan=2 | Western Cape

|-

! % !! Seats

! % !! Seats

! % !! Seats

! % !! Seats

! % !! Seats

! % !! Seats

! % !! Seats

! % !! Seats

! % !! Seats

|-

! 2024

| 0.46 || 0/73

| 0.54 || 0/30

| 4.16 || 3/80

| 0.27 || 0/80

| 0.65 || 0/64

| 0.50 || 1/51

| 1.70 || 1/38

| 0.51 || 0/30

| 0.29 || 0/42

|}

wane and Ekurhuleni in Gauteng as well as eThekwini, KwaDukuza and Newcastle in KwaZulu-Natal. It won 90 seats in the six municipal councils, including a ward in Newcastle.{{Cite web |title=News24 |url=https://www.news24.com/news24/elections/map/lge?year=2021&level=country |access-date=2021-11-28 |website=News24 |language=en-US}}

{{election table}}

|-

! Election

! Votes

! %

! Seats

|-

! 2021{{cite web | url=https://results.elections.org.za/home/LGEPublicReports/1091/Detailed%20Results/National.pdf | title=Local Government Elections 2021 Results Summary – All Ballots | publisher=elections.org.za | access-date=28 November 2021}}

| {{center|547,905}}

| {{center|2.34%}}

| {{center|90}}

|-

|}

In July 2023, ActionSA participated in a City of Johannesburg by-election in Ward 7. The party grew its support from 5% to 14%, finishing third behind the Patriotic Alliance and African National Congress.{{Cite web |last=Sussman |first=Wayne |date=2023-06-29 |title=Patriotic Alliance trounces ANC in Ennerdale, Finetown by-election |url=https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2023-06-29-patriotic-alliance-trounces-anc-in-ennerdale-finetown-by-election/ |access-date=2023-12-04 |website=Daily Maverick |language=en}}

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