By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Dr Nasiphi Moya has been confirmed as ActionSA’s Tshwane mayoral candidate for the 2026 local government elections.
Moya was announced during the party’s campaign engagement in Nellmapius, east of Tshwane.
ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba said the decision to support Moya’s leadership was rooted in the party’s commitment to ethical and accountable governance.
“For us, what is important is ethical leadership,” Mashaba said.
“Unfortunately, the 32 years of our democratic dispensation robbed us of an opportunity to be led by ethical, accountable leadership.”
The announcement marks the beginning of ActionSA’s campaign in Tshwane as parties prepare for what is expected to be a highly contested local government election later this year.
Moya has already been serving as Tshwane mayor since October 2024 after assuming office through a coalition-backed agreement.
In her acceptance speech, Moya said she was asking residents to give her administration another term to continue rebuilding the capital city.
“And today, I accept this nomination as I ask residents for five more years to continue restoring Tshwane and deepening the progress we have begun to make together,” Moya said.
Moya said her administration had inherited a city facing serious financial and infrastructure challenges.
“When I took office in October 2024, I inherited a city in crisis. The finances were unstable, infrastructure was deteriorating, and service delivery systems were failing.”
Tshwane has in recent months endured repeated and prolonged power outages, disrupting livelihoods, compromising safety and eroding public trust.
Mashaba also used the announcement to promote ActionSA’s coalition governance model, saying consultation and respect among coalition partners were essential for stable local government.
According to him, the Tshwane coalition had remained focused on improving service delivery and rescuing the city from financial collapse.
Mashaba said ActionSA would only enter coalition discussions after election results are known but insisted that parties wishing to govern with ActionSA would need to support its position on corruption, service delivery and undocumented migrants.
Although the date has been proclaimed, Cooperative Governance Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa is expected to formally gazette it soon.
All municipal councils’ terms end on 2 November. Elections must be held within 90 days after this date, creating an election window from November to the end of January.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has now confirmed the 4th of November, noting that he typically prefers to schedule elections on a Wednesday.
Once a date is set, the President has the authority to declare it a public holiday. Section 2A of the Public Holidays Act allows the President to proclaim any day a holiday nationwide.
The process starts with officially proclaiming the election date under the Constitution and electoral legislation, then issuing a second proclamation in the Government Gazette declaring that day a holiday.