ActionSA has every reason to celebrate. Earlier on Thursday, President Mashaba led the party in welcoming back more than 70 community activists from across Gauteng, most notably from Soweto.
Among the returning activists were individuals previously dismissed for past conduct, as well as others who had left the party out of frustration for various reasons. Today marked a day of party reconciliation for the party, following recent discussions in which all parties agreed to let bygones be bygones.
Following the recent election of ActionSA’s Dr. Nasipha Moya as Executive Mayor of Tshwane, the green party is actively working to deliver a new brand of governance, breaking the entrenched mould of government being either “yellow” or “blue.”
In his address welcoming and thanking the returning activists for their unwavering belief in ActionSA, Mashaba singled out activist Mandla Nyaqela, praising him for his persistent efforts to meet with him soon after the 2021 Local Government Elections. The gathering marked the culmination of several weeks of meetings with these activists, during which Mashaba promised to foster closer working relationships and ensure recognition for their hard work over the coming months. This includes visiting the communities from which they all come, many of which they lead.
“The Gauteng Province,” Mashaba assured them, “is far too important to overlook, as it houses Tshwane, the national capital, and Johannesburg, the economic capital of South Africa. I fully intend to devote personal attention to our work in this province, ensuring that sufficient financial investment is made in the work we do here.”
Mashaba emphasised ActionSA’s commitment to expanding and consolidating its presence in all Gauteng municipalities, ensuring that no party governs without its presence. He acknowledged that this mission could not succeed without the hard work and dedication of all ActionSA members and supporters, including the returning activists, who possess an intimate understanding of key issues within their respective communities.
Mandla Nyaqela, from Ward 75 in the City of Johannesburg, expressed his joy at rejoining ActionSA after months of political isolation and frustration. He reflected on the hard work invested in garnering solid support for ActionSA ahead of the 2021 Local Government Elections, a contribution Mashaba readily acknowledged.
Nyaqela’s sentiments were echoed by another activist, Pinkie from Ward 41, who reminded everyone of the personal sacrifices made to grow the party’s presence across Gauteng after its launch. Both Nyaqela and Pinkie credited their admiration for Mashaba’s personal resilience and love for South Africa as the driving force behind their return to ActionSA. They also highlighted the daily challenges facing township communities, including the rise in illegal immigration, inadequate electricity and water supply, and missed economic opportunities that continue to leave many South Africans in poverty.
Other activists who spoke after Mandla and Pinkie echoed similar sentiments, expressing appreciation for Mashaba and ActionSA, as well as gratitude for the opportunity to resume their activism within the party. However, they also emphasized that this reunion must go beyond rhetoric aimed at winning the 2026 Local Government Elections. They expressed concerns that the party should not repeat the missteps of the past, including poor treatment after the 2021 elections.
In response to their concerns, Mashaba, visibly moved by their words, reiterated his intention to ensure that the efforts of hard workers would be recognized appropriately, with some potentially being deployed to serve their communities in local government.
“Rest assured,” he said, “I am deeply touched by your words and will personally ensure that everything discussed here will be implemented. While ActionSA representatives are committed to serving all communities, we still have a great deal of work to do in improving the lives of our impoverished communities.
“None of this can be achieved without reversing many of the policies that have been allowed, or even enabled, over the past few decades—including the hijacking of buildings and a toxic open border policy that has contributed to our current situation,” he concluded
ActionSA Welcomes over 70 Community Activists as it Consolidates leadership at Local Government Level
ActionSA has every reason to celebrate. Earlier on Thursday, President Mashaba led the party in welcoming back more than 70 community activists from across Gauteng, most notably from Soweto.
Among the returning activists were individuals previously dismissed for past conduct, as well as others who had left the party out of frustration for various reasons. Today marked a day of party reconciliation for the party, following recent discussions in which all parties agreed to let bygones be bygones.
Following the recent election of ActionSA’s Dr. Nasipha Moya as Executive Mayor of Tshwane, the green party is actively working to deliver a new brand of governance, breaking the entrenched mould of government being either “yellow” or “blue.”
In his address welcoming and thanking the returning activists for their unwavering belief in ActionSA, Mashaba singled out activist Mandla Nyaqela, praising him for his persistent efforts to meet with him soon after the 2021 Local Government Elections. The gathering marked the culmination of several weeks of meetings with these activists, during which Mashaba promised to foster closer working relationships and ensure recognition for their hard work over the coming months. This includes visiting the communities from which they all come, many of which they lead.
“The Gauteng Province,” Mashaba assured them, “is far too important to overlook, as it houses Tshwane, the national capital, and Johannesburg, the economic capital of South Africa. I fully intend to devote personal attention to our work in this province, ensuring that sufficient financial investment is made in the work we do here.”
Mashaba emphasised ActionSA’s commitment to expanding and consolidating its presence in all Gauteng municipalities, ensuring that no party governs without its presence. He acknowledged that this mission could not succeed without the hard work and dedication of all ActionSA members and supporters, including the returning activists, who possess an intimate understanding of key issues within their respective communities.
Mandla Nyaqela, from Ward 75 in the City of Johannesburg, expressed his joy at rejoining ActionSA after months of political isolation and frustration. He reflected on the hard work invested in garnering solid support for ActionSA ahead of the 2021 Local Government Elections, a contribution Mashaba readily acknowledged.
Nyaqela’s sentiments were echoed by another activist, Pinkie from Ward 41, who reminded everyone of the personal sacrifices made to grow the party’s presence across Gauteng after its launch. Both Nyaqela and Pinkie credited their admiration for Mashaba’s personal resilience and love for South Africa as the driving force behind their return to ActionSA. They also highlighted the daily challenges facing township communities, including the rise in illegal immigration, inadequate electricity and water supply, and missed economic opportunities that continue to leave many South Africans in poverty.
Other activists who spoke after Mandla and Pinkie echoed similar sentiments, expressing appreciation for Mashaba and ActionSA, as well as gratitude for the opportunity to resume their activism within the party. However, they also emphasized that this reunion must go beyond rhetoric aimed at winning the 2026 Local Government Elections. They expressed concerns that the party should not repeat the missteps of the past, including poor treatment after the 2021 elections.
In response to their concerns, Mashaba, visibly moved by their words, reiterated his intention to ensure that the efforts of hard workers would be recognized appropriately, with some potentially being deployed to serve their communities in local government.
“Rest assured,” he said, “I am deeply touched by your words and will personally ensure that everything discussed here will be implemented. While ActionSA representatives are committed to serving all communities, we still have a great deal of work to do in improving the lives of our impoverished communities.
“None of this can be achieved without reversing many of the policies that have been allowed, or even enabled, over the past few decades—including the hijacking of buildings and a toxic open border policy that has contributed to our current situation,” he concluded