Mashaba Offers DA Johannesburg Mayoral Seat in Coalition Deal, But Demands Helen Zille Step Aside

ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba has submitted a political proposal to the Democratic Alliance in an effort to resolve the ongoing coalition stalemate across Gauteng’s three major metropolitan areas following the recent local government elections.

In a letter sent to DA federal leader Geordin Hill-Lewis, Mashaba suggested stepping aside from his bid for the Johannesburg mayoralty. However, this concession comes with the condition that the DA also withdraws Helen Zille as its mayoral candidate and selects an alternative nominee to lead the municipality. Under the proposed terms, the DA would keep the executive mayor position in Johannesburg with a new candidate, while ActionSA would take the deputy mayor role.

The proposal extends to negotiations in neighboring metros as well. Mashaba requested DA backing for ActionSA’s Dr. Nasiphi Moya to remain as the mayor of Tshwane. In return, former Tshwane mayor Cilliers Brink would be expected to step down from his council seat, allowing the DA to nominate a deputy mayor acceptable to ActionSA. In Ekurhuleni, ActionSA expressed readiness to back a DA mayoral candidate to secure stable local governance.

The compromise reflects the intense political bargaining underway across Gauteng after no single party managed to secure an absolute majority in Johannesburg, Tshwane, or Ekurhuleni. With coalition rule necessary to form local administration, individual candidate choices have emerged as significant points of contention between former opposition partners.

Despite the initiative, the Democratic Alliance has hesitated to accept the terms. Internal reports suggest several DA leaders view the demand to swap out their designated mayoral candidates as an unreasonable prerequisite for formal talks. ActionSA national chairperson Michael Beaumont confirmed the submission of the letter, while voicing disappointment that internal communication was leaked to the public. As inter-party discussions continue, the prospects of a finalized coalition agreement across the province remain uncertain.

https://x.com/Markosonke1/status/2120019543871406421?a=kucGrL118giSYlgSei4&s=19

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