By Doreen Mokgolo
- TheForum for Service Delivery joins ActionSA, bringing 40,000 members and control of a North West municipality.
- The merger aims to create a stronger opposition force ahead of the 2026 local government elections.
ActionSA has teamed up with the Forum for Service Delivery to boost its chances in the 2026 local elections.
The deal was sealed on Wednesday when Forum President Dr Mbahare Kekana became ActionSA’s new deputy president.
This move is part of ActionSA’s plan to work with smaller parties that share their ideas about fixing South Africa.
The Forum started in 2015 to fight poor service delivery under the ANC government. In their first local elections in 2016, they won 30 seats across 30 municipalities.
They did even better in 2021, winning 38 seats across five provinces: North West, Limpopo, Free State, Mpumalanga, and Northern Cape.
The Forum brings with it 40,000 members and is the fourth-biggest party in the North West. It currently holds the mayor’s position in Ditsobotla municipality.
ActionSA president Herman Mashaba said they want to become stronger in Parliament than the EFF and MK Party.
“Going into the local elections, the current Forum for Service Delivery councillors will hold dual memberships,” he said.
“This is to ensure that they retain their leadership in wards that they lead until the 2026 elections. They will campaign under the ActionSA banner and identity,” he said.
Kekana said they have tried working with other small parties before, but it didn’t work out.
“When ActionSA decided to cut ties with the DA in Tshwane, we saw it as an opportunity to approach them to work together, as we hold the same principles.
“We understand that we cannot win the leadership of South Africa by working alone. This partnership will lead to winning more municipalities and contesting in the next national elections,” he said.
Kekana is worried about services in rural areas.
“Service delivery in rural areas is in shambles as leaders don’t want to access the areas or have the skills to address their challenges,” he said.
Pictured above: ActionSA president Herman Mashaba with Dr Mbajima Kekana.
Source: Doreen Mokgolo
