By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
ActionSA announced that former Umkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party leader in Mpumalanga, Mary Phadi, has joined the party as its provincial campaign manager.
The party president Herman Mashaba made the announcement during its critical three-day Senate Strategic Planning meeting in Johannesburg.
“As a grounded organiser with deep community roots, she brings a clear understanding of the challenges faced across the province and a proven record of standing at the forefront of community struggles,” Mashaba said.
Phadi’s move follows a bitter fallout with the MK Party leadership that led to her exiting the party’s provincial structures.
The fallout saw Phadi accuse elements within the party of undermining her leadership and dragging her name into internal controversies.
She has thanked ActionSA for the opportunity to serve as campaign manager, saying her focus is on “delivering functioning municipalities” ahead of the Local Government Elections.
She also said the MK Party in the Mpumalanga “has collapsed” due to internal leadership challenges.
In the Western Cape, Dereleen James MP has been appointed as the new Provincial Chairperson.
James is known for her strong stance against crime, drug cartels and corruption — especially on the Cape Flats — She is expected to drive the party’s growth and campaign efforts in the province.
These appointments signal ActionSA’s intention to build strong provincial structures and run strong campaigns where it believes it can make a difference.
ActionSA has been on a recruitment drive ahead of the local government elections as it seeks to expand its national footprint. Among those who have joined the party is Xolani Khumalo.