PODCAST: Mashaba promises to revive Johannesburg if ActionSA wins power

ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba has promised to revive Johannesburg if his party is elected to power, according to a podcast interview with political journalist Itumeleng Mafisa. During the conversation on The Citizen’s The Movement podcast, Mashaba discussed his mayoral candidacy, Joburg’s financial situation, corruption, service delivery, and the upcoming local government elections.

Mashaba revealed that he initially hesitated to run as ActionSA’s mayoral candidate but eventually agreed after being urged by both the party structures and Joburg residents. Having previously served as Johannesburg mayor from 2016 to 2019, Mashaba claims his prior experience equips him with the necessary knowledge to tackle the city’s issues.

One of his key proposals is to implement an inner-city rejuvenation programme he launched during his previous tenure. The plan involved awarding 154 properties to private developers through long-term leases, which could have generated billions in investment and thousands of jobs. However, Mashaba accused subsequent administrations of abandoning the initiative.

The candidate also vowed to tackle corruption and hold officials and politicians accountable for failing to execute council-approved policies. He criticized the City of Johannesburg’s financial position, accusing it of excessive reliance on borrowing. Mashaba opposed a proposed multibillion-rand wage agreement and a loan supported by the council, arguing that residents should not bear the financial burden of maladministration and corruption.

Addressing immigration, Mashaba stated that ActionSA would make undocumented immigration a condition for any coalition deal, advocating for stricter enforcement of immigration laws and mass deportation. He connected immigration to the strain on housing, employment, and public services and detailed his plans to generate jobs through private-sector investment, citing his previous inner-city rejuvenation programme as an example.

Mashaba promised to establish the city’s priorities within 100 days, focusing on restoring the rejuvenation programme, reviewing the municipal workforce, and enhancing revenue collection. He acknowledged that Johannesburg's challenges are deeply rooted and will take generations to resolve but emphasized his ultimate goal of restoring dignity and rebuilding the city for future generations.