Herman Mashaba has once again called for South Africans to be prioritised in the ownership of spaza shops and small businesses, as he renewed his campaign to reclaim leadership of Johannesburg ahead of the upcoming local government elections.
Mashaba delivered what he described as the “Real State of the City Address” in Alexandra on Wednesday, hours before Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero was expected to present his official address to residents.
The former Johannesburg mayor used the platform to sharply criticise the current administration, accusing it of failing residents through poor service delivery, financial instability, and a lack of decisive leadership.
Mashaba said Johannesburg residents deserve a government that prioritises accountability, economic recovery, and the interests of South Africans.
Mashaba Criticises Current Johannesburg Leadership
Speaking to ActionSA supporters in Alexandra, Mashaba dismissed Morero’s upcoming State of the City Address as little more than political theatre filled with promises that residents have heard many times before.
According to Mashaba, the city continues to deteriorate under the current administration despite repeated assurances from leadership that improvements are underway.
He argued that many communities still face unreliable basic services, deteriorating infrastructure, high unemployment, and growing concerns about crime and illegal activity in parts of the city.
Mashaba said Johannesburg’s challenges require urgent intervention and strong leadership rather than speeches and unfulfilled commitments.
The ActionSA leader positioned himself as someone capable of restoring stability and rebuilding confidence in the city’s governance structures.
Mashaba also reflected on his previous tenure as mayor of Johannesburg, a position he held while representing the Democratic Alliance before resigning in November 2019.
He claimed that his administration had started making meaningful progress in improving governance, stabilising city finances, and tackling corruption before his resignation brought those efforts to an abrupt end.
Mashaba said he believes many residents still remember the reforms introduced during his leadership and the attempts made to restore accountability within the municipality.
He appealed to voters to give him another opportunity to continue the work he believes was interrupted.
According to Mashaba, Johannesburg cannot afford further years of instability and political infighting while residents continue struggling with failing services and worsening living conditions.
One of the strongest themes in Mashaba’s address was his continued push for South Africans to be prioritised in economic opportunities, particularly within the spaza shop sector.
Mashaba has long been vocal about illegal immigration and the impact he believes it has on local businesses and employment opportunities.
During his address, he reiterated his belief that spaza shops and informal businesses should primarily benefit South African citizens.
He argued that local entrepreneurs often struggle to compete and access opportunities within the township economy.
Mashaba said government must implement policies that support local ownership, encourage small business development, and create sustainable opportunities for South Africans.
The issue remains highly sensitive and politically charged, especially in townships where competition over informal trading opportunities has at times led to tensions.
Mashaba also focused heavily on service delivery failures across Johannesburg, promising that his administration would prioritise fixing infrastructure and improving municipal performance if given another chance to lead the city.
He highlighted concerns around water shortages, electricity outages, deteriorating roads, waste collection problems, and financial mismanagement within the metro.
Mashaba said residents are frustrated by the slow pace of progress and the decline in living standards in many communities.
He argued that Johannesburg, as South Africa’s economic hub, should be functioning far more effectively and delivering reliable services to residents and businesses.
The former mayor insisted that stronger leadership and tighter financial controls are necessary to restore confidence in the city.
With local government elections approaching, Mashaba’s “Real State of the City Address” also served as part of ActionSA’s broader campaign strategy to position itself as an alternative to the governing African National Congress in Johannesburg.
Mashaba has made it clear that reclaiming the mayoral position remains one of his key political goals.
Political analysts believe Johannesburg will once again become one of the country’s most fiercely contested metros during the elections, with coalition politics likely to play a major role.
Mashaba’s speech aimed to reconnect with residents dissatisfied with current leadership while reinforcing ActionSA’s focus on governance, law enforcement, and economic reform.
The former mayor continues to campaign heavily on promises of accountability, clean governance, and stronger municipal management.
Throughout his address, Mashaba stressed that Johannesburg’s future depends on restoring public trust in government and improving the city’s ability to deliver services effectively.
He said residents are tired of political excuses while communities continue facing unemployment, infrastructure decay, and safety concerns.
Mashaba argued that the city requires practical leadership focused on results rather than political rhetoric.
His remarks also reflected growing competition among political parties ahead of the elections, as parties attempt to position themselves as the best option to govern South Africa’s largest metro.
Attention now turns to Mayor Dada Morero’s official State of the City Address, where he is expected to outline his administration’s plans to address Johannesburg’s ongoing challenges and reassure residents that the city remains under control.
Morero is likely to defend the progress made by his administration while countering criticism from opposition parties such as ActionSA.
The contrasting speeches from Mashaba and Morero highlight the intensifying political battle for Johannesburg as parties prepare for a high-stakes election campaign.
For Mashaba, the message was clear — he believes Johannesburg residents should once again place their trust in his leadership as he attempts to stage a political comeback in the city he once governed.
