It has been merely 100 days since the government of national unity assumed office, yet the South African political landscape appears entirely transformed. The recent general election, held on 29 May, feels like a distant memory.
Such is the accelerated turnover of the news cycle that mere days begin to resemble decades. This rapidity begs a critical examination of the actions taken by prominent political figures, particularly Herman Mashaba of ActionSA.
Mashaba’s Shift in Allegiances
Despite his vehement criticisms of the ANC, characterizing it as a “criminal enterprise” and swearing never to collaborate with them, Mashaba has shockingly decided otherwise.
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This shift culminated in his assistance in ousting DA’s Cilliers Brink from the Tshwane mayoral office. It is crucial to note that Mashaba’s journey began within the DA ranks as the Mayor of Johannesburg. His sense of betrayal by the DA after Helen Zille was elected to the federal council chair has evidently shaped his present alliances.
The Voters’ Perspective
This revolving door of political allegiance raises unsettling questions for the electorate. Are principled leaders truly leading, or merely opportunistic politicians catering to their own ambitions?
The ongoing coalition between Mashaba and the ANC may hinge on claims regarding the DA’s lack of delivery, yet evidence suggests that Tshwane continues to lag behind Johannesburg and Ekurhuleni in performance metrics. Voters should remain vigilant and demand more than simplistic snapshots of financial crises.
They ought to expect tangible improvements in their communities—are streetlights functioning? Is refuse collected timely? These are the indicators of a local government’s effectiveness, not mere rhetoric.
As the 2026 local government elections approach, the ANC and ActionSA must prove their union yields more positive outcomes than the DA’s governance. Failure to deliver will inevitably lead to a swift backlash from voters discerning enough to recognize empty promises. The political landscape may be in flux, but the scrutiny of those in power remains unwavering.
