ActionSA has opted to field mayoral and councillor candidates in KwaZulu-Natal, despite other newer parties backing away from the province. National chairperson Michael Beaumont explained that having a foothold in Durban, Pietermaritzburg, and Richards Bay is crucial to making an impact in KZN. The party has fielded mayoral candidates in these key cities and aims to secure seats in the councils. Beaumont, born and raised in the province, is confident that the party will make a mark.
Beaumont's goal is to familiarize voters with ActionSA before the next general elections and to have representation that can be built upon. He acknowledged that KZN is a difficult province to break through but emphasized the importance of fielding candidates. The party's strategy is to use the local government election as an opportunity to demonstrate its value and make a pitch to voters. Beaumont noted that having people in council makes it easier to contest in future elections.
ActionSA's performance in the 2024 general elections was modest, securing six seats in parliament. However, Beaumont said the party has used those seats effectively, and many have come to see ActionSA as the unofficial opposition to the Government of National Unity. The party's favourability among voters is on the rise, and its membership has grown to nearly 200,000. Beaumont attributed this growth to the party's work in parliament and its commitment to addressing key issues.
As the party looks to 2029, it is open to discussing coalitions after the local government election. Beaumont said ActionSA is willing to work with everyone, provided three key conditions are met: corruption is declared a priority, services are delivered to all, and better immigration management is implemented. The party has decided against pre-election coalition agreements, citing concerns that such agreements may have hurt them at the polls.
One of ActionSA's key talking points is illegal immigration, which has drawn both support and criticism. Beaumont argued that the party takes a centre-right stance on immigration, advocating for the enforcement of existing laws rather than open borders or harm to undocumented immigrants. He dismissed accusations of xenophobia, saying that the party's stance on immigration is a key aspect of its platform.
Beaumont expressed caution about the party's prospects in certain provinces, including KZN, the Eastern Cape, and the Western Cape. He acknowledged that growth will require time and that there is no silver bullet to success. However, he remains optimistic about the party's long-term outlook, citing a growing membership and increased public support.
Ultimately, Beaumont sees ActionSA breaking through in various parts of the country, but with a pragmatic approach to growth. He emphasized that many South Africans have become disenfranchised by broken promises and poor service delivery, and that the party is committed to winning them back. With a focus on familiarizing voters with the party and demonstrating its value, ActionSA is positioning itself for future success.
Key points
- ActionSA fields mayoral and councillor candidates in KZN to familiarize voters with the party before the next general elections.
- The party aims to secure seats in councils and use them as a stepping stone to demonstrate its value and make a pitch to voters.
- ActionSA is open to discussing coalitions after the local government election, provided key conditions are met.
