Action SA leader Herman Mashaba says his party is steadily increasing its number of public representatives — without directly contesting elections — through what he calls the Green Umbrella project.
On Monday, Mashaba announced that two new political entities, the Creatives Congress Movement (a pressure group formed by arts practitioners) and the Azanian Independent Community Movement (a small party based in Taung, North West), have joined ActionSA. Mashaba claimed the North West group already controls seven council seats, which he said now effectively belong to ActionSA. A similar arrangement was previously struck with Forum 4 Service Delivery, whose leader, Mbahare Kekana, was appointed ActionSA’s deputy president.
“When our opponents were sleeping, we managed to significantly grow the number of our public representatives without contesting elections,” Mashaba said during a media briefing.
He added that ActionSA now has almost 150 public representatives, a milestone he described as evidence of the party’s growing reach:
“Under a single banner, we are giving communities a unified voice and a real chance for change. Today marks another milestone in this journey, as community-rooted parties from across the provinces join under the ActionSA banner. And this is just the beginning.”
Mashaba appealed to other like-minded formations to fold into the Green Umbrella initiative:
“The work of fixing South Africa is bigger than any one party or leader. This is why ActionSA continues to keep its doors open to parties and civic formations that share our values and commitment to building a capable and ethical state.”
He emphasised the strategic importance of merging with community-based parties:
“These parties, despite not having a broad national footprint, are often the most in touch with local needs and best placed to fight for the interests of their communities.”
Legally, the councillors remain members of their original parties, but Mashaba insisted the mergers give them authority to act as ActionSA representatives:
“When they are in council, they will participate as ActionSA councillors. When they address communities or launch branches ahead of local government elections, they will do so as ActionSA representatives. Only at the IEC will they remain registered with their original parties.”
Mashaba also highlighted the potential for the party to engage new constituencies:
“Together, this partnership will expand our reach in the North West and establish a presence representing a movement of artists and creatives, enabling ActionSA to champion innovative cultural initiatives and strengthen our connection with diverse communities.”
However, critics have raised concerns about the party’s strategy. Former Tshwane mayor Celliers Brink, now leader of the opposition in the council, questioned ActionSA’s avoidance of elections:
“The strangest thing is the party of the mayor not contesting this by-election. In fact, ActionSA has not contested a single by-election since 2023. They certainly avoid facing the voters.”
ActionSA has also faced scrutiny over its internal democracy, with critics pointing out that it continues to appoint leaders to positions despite its constitution calling for elections at party conferences.