‘We’re not serving Harare or Lagos’: Mashaba says ActionSA mayors must serve South Africans first

Herman Mashaba, leader of the ActionSA party, asserts that mayoral candidates in his party must prioritize South Africans first upon election into public office. This stance was expressed during a recent event in KwaZulu-Natal, where ActionSA unveiled mayoral candidates for three municipalities: eThekwini, KwaDukuza, and Newcastle.

Mashaba maintains that his party is not announcing mayors for the world, nor are they serving cities like Harare, Lagos, or Lahore. He emphasizes that his primary focus is on serving South Africans.

Mashaba states that South Africa should not rely on foreign aid; instead, citizens must become self-sustainable. He advocates for the nation to ensure the well-being of its own people and families before extending assistance to others. Once ActionSA assumes control of municipalities post the upcoming local government elections on November 4th, the party plans to exert pressure on the national government to address illegal immigration within municipalities. Mashaba declares that they are unapologetic about this stance.

The influx of illegal immigrants exacerbates issues of unemployment, housing shortages, and other service backlogs in South Africa, according to Mashaba. He recalls the immense housing backlog he faced as Johannesburg's mayor, where over 300,000 homes remained unbuilt at the time. He criticizes the national government's approach, which he believes prioritizes the welfare of the world over that of South Africans.

Mashaba refuses to comply with this policy, stating that he will remain the only South African opposing it, and he is prepared to face criticism for his stance.

Despite having previously reported illegal immigration to the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) during his tenure as Johannesburg's mayor in 2016, Mashaba believes that the constitution of South Africa supports his position. He argues that no one should be allowed to enter the country illegally, and his party stands firm on this belief.

Mashaba urges South Africans to temporarily set aside the principle of Ubuntu, which emphasizes compassion and community, and instead apply the rule of law to tackle illegal immigration issues. He emphasizes that while South Africa has historically welcomed migrants as tourists, investors, and students, these individuals must abide by the country's laws.

Mashaba calls on all ActionSA supporters to suspend Ubuntu for now, focusing instead on the rule of law. He questions the application of Ubuntu when 54% of South Africans are not prioritized, asking why this principle should not begin with the nation's own people.