PRETORIA, Monday 9 November 2026 — ActionSA has held an initial round of coalition talks with the African National Congress (ANC), while party leader Herman Mashaba has insisted that Nasiphi Moya remain mayor of Tshwane under any agreement involving his party following the 4 November local government elections.
The discussions come as political parties seek to form administrations in Gauteng’s three metropolitan municipalities, where no party secured an outright majority. Eyewitness News reported on Monday that ActionSA and the ANC had described their initial engagement as productive.
ActionSA sets condition for Tshwane
Mashaba said retaining Moya as Tshwane mayor was a requirement for ActionSA’s participation in a coalition agreement.
The party secured 48 of the capital’s 214 council seats, leaving it in a position to influence negotiations over the next municipal administration.
Mashaba indicated that ActionSA was willing to explore arrangements with both the Democratic Alliance (DA) and the ANC, but that prospective partners would have to accept its position on Tshwane’s leadership.
He also suggested that an arrangement could involve the DA taking leadership in Ekurhuleni while ActionSA retained the mayoralty in Tshwane.
No agreement allocating either municipality’s leadership has been announced.
ActionSA and ANC hold initial discussions
The first round of talks represents a further step in ActionSA’s willingness to negotiate with the ANC, despite Mashaba’s earlier opposition to cooperation with the governing party.
Mashaba defended the position, arguing that coalition decisions should be based on municipal stability and service delivery rather than previous political disagreements.
ActionSA has previously governed Tshwane alongside the ANC and Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), with Moya serving as mayor.
The party has cited that administration’s record as justification for seeking another term in the capital.
However, the DA has criticised aspects of Moya’s administration, including its handling of the water contamination crisis in Bronkhorstspruit.
Johannesburg and Ekurhuleni also part of coalition calculations
ActionSA’s election performance has strengthened its negotiating position across Gauteng.
The party received 22.07% of the vote in Tshwane, 18.5% in Ekurhuleni and 16.27% in Johannesburg.
Mashaba has separately opposed the prospect of DA federal council chairperson Helen Zille becoming Johannesburg mayor and has raised objections to her participation in coalition negotiations.
Those positions could complicate discussions between ActionSA and the DA, even where the parties share an interest in forming municipal administrations.
The ANC, meanwhile, is preparing to determine its national approach to coalition negotiations after suffering substantial losses in the municipal elections.
Its National Working Committee is scheduled to meet on Monday, with a National Executive Committee meeting expected later in the week.
No final coalition agreement announced
The initial ActionSA–ANC engagement does not establish that the two parties have agreed to govern together.
Any proposed arrangement will still require agreement on municipal leadership, governance priorities and support in the respective councils.
The outcome of negotiations in Tshwane will determine whether Moya returns as mayor or whether another candidate secures sufficient council support.
ActionSA has indicated that it will continue engaging prospective partners as parties work towards establishing new municipal administrations.
