ActionSA president Herman Mashaba has proposed that the Democratic Alliance (DA) retain the mayoral position in Johannesburg in a bid to break the political deadlock between the two parties in Gauteng's metropolitan municipalities. In a letter to DA federal leader Geordin Hill-Lewis, Mashaba suggested that both he and former Cape Town mayor Helen Zille withdraw as mayoral candidates, allowing the DA to nominate a replacement who could be supported by ActionSA. This proposal aims to create an environment for negotiations to proceed without the baggage of previous political battles between the two parties.
The proposal suggests that ActionSA would take the deputy mayor position in Johannesburg, while the remaining terms of a possible coalition agreement would be negotiated between the parties. According to the election results, the DA received the biggest share of the Johannesburg votes with 34.79%, while the ANC received 20.25% with ActionSA taking the third spot with 16.27%. This means that the DA could form a two-party coalition with ActionSA. Mashaba's proposal also offers a possible route for the two parties to co-operate in Ekurhuleni, where ActionSA has indicated its willingness to support a DA mayoral candidate.
In Tshwane, the DA received 34.37% while ActionSA took the second-largest share with 22.07% and the ANC received 20.22%. Mashaba wants DA mayoral candidate Cilliers Brink to resign his council seat and the DA to nominate a deputy mayoral candidate acceptable to ActionSA. In return, the DA would support ActionSA's mayoral candidate, Dr Nasiphi Moya. The letter, addressed to Hill-Lewis, follows a telephone discussion between the two leaders on November 7, during which Mashaba said the parties should begin discussions on the Gauteng metros as soon as possible.
Mashaba acknowledged the history of strained relations between the parties, saying their previous experiences of working together had resulted in a long-term breakdown of trust. He said the proposed arrangements were intended to create an environment in which negotiations could proceed without the baggage of previous political battles between the two parties. Mashaba also indicated that his party was open to alternative proposals from the DA, saying Hill-Lewis could put forward his party's own ideas before the two sides convened an in-person meeting.
A DA insider said the party leaders believed Mashaba was negotiating in bad faith, adding that it was unlikely that the party would agree to the terms. The insider stated that there was a stringent process to choose their mayoral candidates and it would be unfair to ask them to remove themselves when they did the work of campaigning. The DA leader also noted that they are the biggest party in Gauteng metros and that beginning negotiations where they are dictated terms by a smaller party would set them up for a massive problem later on.
ActionSA chairperson Michael Beaumont confirmed that a letter was issued to the leader of the DA, but expressed disappointment that the contents of the letter have been shared with the media. Beaumont stated that ActionSA would not want to discuss the contents of the letter through the media so that discussions may be given the best prospects of success without adding unnecessary barriers to progress. The proposals come as the battle for control of Gauteng metros takes shape, with coalition negotiations expected to determine who governs the three Gauteng metros.
Mashaba's letter to Hill-Lewis highlights the significance of the current political landscape, stating that it is clear from the elections that the support for their two parties is increasing, while other parties are being rejected. He believes it would be foolish for their respective parties to fail to recognise this or the moment that these elections present for change. The outcome of the coalition negotiations will determine the governance of the three Gauteng metros, with the DA and ActionSA being key players in the negotiations.
Key points
- ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba proposes that the DA retain the mayoral position in Johannesburg.
- Mashaba's proposal suggests that ActionSA would take the deputy mayor position in Johannesburg.
- The DA and ActionSA are negotiating a possible coalition agreement in Gauteng's metropolitan municipalities.
