BY SINDISO NHLABATHI:
Two manifesto launches, two cities, one political grudge match – South Africa’s 2026 local elections officially exploded yesterday, 26 September 2026.
In Johannesburg, ActionSA President Herman Mashaba unveiled his party’s 2026 Manifesto under the theme “A Declaration of War on Broken Municipalities.” In Tshwane, at the same time, his former allies turned rivals, the Democratic Alliance, held its ‘Ready to Lead Tshwane Rally’ with mayoral candidate Ald Cilliers Brink.
The timing is no coincidence. It is a direct showdown.
Mashaba, who is running for Joburg Mayor, used the language of war. He said South Africans are #gatvol of excuses, failing services and municipalities that simply don’t work. He claims ActionSA is not selling theory but proven leadership.
His 9-point battle plan is the bulk of the document:
1. Fix what matters – water, electricity, roads, sewage, refuse.
2. Respect your money – funded budgets, cut waste, fix billing.
3. Professional government – merit appointments, accountability.
4. No corruption – transparent tenders, protect whistleblowers, recover stolen money.
5. Safe communities – more officers, reclaim hijacked buildings, infrastructure theft, and use municipal powers on illegal immigration.
6. Jobs – cut red tape, help SMMEs, rebuild CBDs.
7. No community left behind – title deeds, affordable housing, transport.
8. Clean, resilient cities – end illegal dumping.
9. Coalition principle: Voters decide first, programme second, positions last.
But just 60km away in Pretoria, Brink delivered a scathing counter-punch: _The time for the ANC-ActionSA Mafia City is up!_
Brink, who was removed in 2024 after ActionSA voted with the ANC and EFF to oust him, is demanding 50% plus 1 to end coalition chaos. He accuses the current Tshwane government led by ActionSA’s Dr Nasiphi Moya of “water tankering, jobs for pals and corruption” – the same Moya who took over with ANC backing and who is now his direct opponent for mayor.
Brink’s five pledges: Fire corrupt officials and hire professionals; restore law and order with drones and CCTV; fix electricity, water and roads via private partnerships; sweat city assets like power stations and Wonderboom Airport for investment; and partner with communities for clean, safe neighbourhoods.
The subtext is bigger than Tshwane. Mashaba himself faces Former DA Federal Chair, City of Cape Town Mayor Helen Zille, in Johannesburg – the same Zille whose tweets about colonialism triggered his exit as DA mayor of Joburg in 2019. What started as a DA family fallout is now a full municipal war, with Tshwane and Joburg as twin battlegrounds.
Both promise to fix the basics. Both promise to end corruption. Only one can govern. – @NewsSA_Online
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