ActionSA says stronger election result could give it coalition influence

KwaZulu-Natal's ActionSA leader, Zwakele Mncwango, has raised doubts about the accuracy of pre-election polls, particularly those predicting the party's performance. Unlike other polls, ActionSA's support surged by more than three percentage points compared to the Ipsos prediction. Critics point out that some media outlets relied on the DA's own polls to forecast election outcomes, raising questions about journalistic integrity.

Despite the DA's dominance, ActionSA's vote share has more than doubled since 2021, with a 140% increase. The party now holds a potential key role in coalition negotiations for Johannesburg, Tshwane, Ekurhuleni, and possibly eThekwini. While the DA leads in Johannesburg, with 35.98% of the vote, ActionSA's Herman Mashaba's party is closing the gap and is open to discussing a possible coalition.

Mashaba's softened stance on coalition talks comes after previously rejecting the idea. Mncwango remains optimistic, emphasizing ActionSA's growing political influence despite not securing the mayoral position in eThekwini. As coalition discussions unfold, the party's expanding base could play a crucial role in shaping governance in major South African cities.