Until SA is fixed, I am going nowhere

11 October 2022

An article published on IOL online this afternoon has maliciously suggested that I may leave ActionSA – the political party that I founded to #FixSouthAfrica.

Nothing could be further from the truth and this is nothing more than dishonest and malicious reporting (published without comment being sought) that I will be personally addressing with IOL and the press ombudsman until it is retracted with a full apology.

The article attempts to suggest that there is some kind of conflict within our leadership structure about coalitions. While ActionSA has initiated a review of our approach, and while I expect our Senate to debate this matter fully – there is no difference of opinion about the fact that coalition with the ANC is not an option we will consider. On this we are unanimous in our view.

The leadership of ActionSA is a team which I lead. There have been no discussions which take place without my knowledge or without the mandate of decision-making structures of our party. To suggest otherwise is dishonest.

I was asked a question in an interview with Clement Manyathela this morning on 702 about whether I would work with the ANC if this was the outcome of the public engagement process ActionSA currently has underway. My response was to say that I could not lead a party that was in coalition with the ANC. To deduce from this that I would leave ActionSA is outrageous.

ActionSA was established to be an alternative for the South African people. This remains my mission and that of every leader in our Senate.

Issued by Herman Mashaba, President, ActionSA, 11 October 2022